The Foundations of South Australian Geology : 1802-1860

The Colony of South Australia was founded at a time when the science of geology was developing rapidly and increasing in popularity among all levels of society. Adelaide, the foundation city, had good reason to foster its 'sense of difference' from the other colonies in Australia, being largely isolated from them, but also, and more significantly, because it had been established by free settlers. Among these was a group of well-educated men concerned with geological matters - partly from necessity and the need to locate useful natural resources but equally, imbued with a well-developed sense of intellectual curiosity. The early observations were made by explorers, surveyors and interested laymen who applied their imported concepts and ideas in the new and unknown land. Their writings reflect the varied strands of current thought during this formative period in the history of geology and their investigations, though uncoordinated, provided a foundation upon which later workers were able to build as the century progressed.