MINERALS Hall in Regional Natural History Museum - Plovdiv

   The “Geology” section of the Regional Natural History Museum in Plovdiv has been in existence since the establishment of the museum in 1955. The establishment of this section as well as the whole museum was based on the materials of the rich encyclopedic museum at the former French college in the town of Plovdiv. Opened in 1955, the geological exposition was in conformity with the then concepts and requirements of the school subjects concerning the Earth’s structure, as well as the origin of the animal world, the vegetable kingdom, and the human race. Through the years, the exposition and the overall stock of the “Geology” section have been replenished with new paleontological, mineralogical, and petrographic specimens from Bulgaria and abroad provided through collecting outings, buy-ups from private persons, exchange with related museums, donations, “Sv. Kliment Ohridsky” Sofia University, and “Earth and People” National Museum - Sofia.
   Through the years, the exposition and the overall stock of the “Geology” section have been replenished with new paleontological, mineralogical, and petrographic specimens from Bulgaria and abroad provided through collecting outings, buy-ups from private persons, exchange with related museums, donations, “Sv. Kliment Ohridsky” Sofia University, and “Earth and People” National Museum - Sofia. In early 1991, following the overall reconstruction of the “Geology” Hall, the exposition was arranged under a new thematic plan and modern design. Three sub-sections – Paleontology, Mineralogy, and Petrography, are presented in an area of 100 m2. The exposition begins from the museum foyer, where three vitrines show fossils of neogene mammals – model of a Deinotherium, including molars and tusks, as well as thigh bones. The “Paleontology” sub-section is arranged in 12 vitrines showing fossils of plants and animals that inhabited the Earth in past geological periods: remains and prints of Sigillaria and other extinct plant species, Trilobites, Brachiopods, Graptolites, Sea lilies and Sea urchins, Belemnites, Ammonites, clams, snails, molars and vertebrae of neogene mammals, mammoths, horses, bovids, antlers, roes, etc. Most of the fossils come from the regions of Ahmatovo and Bogdanitsa villages, the area of Stara Zagota, etc. The vitrines are further illustrated with texts and color photographs. In addition, two color schemes describe the origin and the evolution of plants, animals, and human. “Petrography” sub-section exhibits various rock samples in two big vitrines arranged in a systematic order corresponding to the rock formation:
- intrusive (Granite, Syenite, Gabbro, Monzonite);
- intrusive (Granite, Syenite, Gabbro, Monzonite);
- sedimentary (Limestone, Sandstone, Tuff, Chalk, Conglomerate);
- metamorphic (Marble, Quarzite, Schist, Gneiss, Slate).
Most of this expositition is dedicated to the “Mineralogy” sub-section. Four vitrines are allocated to taxonomy of minerals divided in 12 classes and presented by specimens from Bulgaria and abroad. Two vitrines show the so called semi-precious stones – Topaz, Aquamarine, Beryl, Amethyst, Morion, Garnet, Agate, Jasper, and many others from Bulgaria, Russia, Brazil, and Mozambique. Six more vitrines and the central part of the “Geology” Hall present the diversity of forms, varieties, and colors of the richest collection in South Bulgaria containing metalliferous and non-metalliferous samples from the Rhodopes (Galenite, Sphalerite, Cleiophane, Pyrites, Chalcopyrite, Quartz, Calcite, Rhodochrosite, Baryte, Ankerite, etc. from the regions of Madan and Laki). In addition, color photographs of rare and attractive minerals are also exhibited in the vitrines. There are captions with the chemical formula and the location of each mineral. In 1993, a rolling exhibition entitled “Giant crystals” from the “Earth and People” National Museum – Sofia was arranged in the center of the “Geology” Hall. Quartz, Amethyst, Citrine, Rock crystal, Morion, Agate, etc. from Brazil were among the exhibited items.    “Geology” department present their best mineralogical specimens in exhibitions organized in Saint Petersburg (celebrating the Plovdiv Days), Sofia (“Earth and People” National Museum), and Plovdiv (City Art Gallery, Novotel Plovdiv, International Trade Fair, etc.). The “Geology” Hall inspires admiration in all visitors of the museum. This venue is used for lectures, seminars, and classes for students from the Plovdiv schools and undergraduates from the Faculty of Biology at “Paisiy Hilendarsky” Plovdiv University and the Agrarian Univeristy concerning various geology-related topics. The specialist in charge of the “Geology” section identifies minerals and rock samples and fossils and provides consultations on geological issues to students, teachers, and citizens.