Johann von Charpentier (1738–1805)

Practical knowledge from mining influenced how natural philosophers analysed the distribution of rocks that appeared on the Earth’s surface. Tracing the distortions of strata underground provided a better picture of the succession of formations. This colour tinted map illustrates rock outcrops, and the location of significant houses, castles, and mines. The town of Freiberg, as found in the mining area of Erzgebirge, was home to the mining school where the Abraham Gottlob Werner taught Geognosie, or “earth knowledge”.

Hh.20.28