Page 67 - Handbook of Gold Exploration and Evaluation

48 Handbook of gold exploration and evaluation

discoveries, a gold-based solder (tumbago), was developed as an alloy of gold,
silver and copper for connecting gold studs. Although recent archaeological
work suggests a provenance earlier than Christ, gold metallurgy apparently took
another 500 years in spreading to Panama and a further 300 years prior to its
appearance in Mexico. Only when the Incas and Aztecs appeared on the scene in
the 12th century AD were large-scale gold workings developed for the first time.
The invention of printing (mid-15th century) helped in the spreading of major
new scientific discoveries. In his book On the Revolutions of the Heavenly
Spheres (1543) the Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus explained that the
Earth rotates on its own axis, the moon revolves around the Earth and all planets
around the sun. This was contrary to religious dogma and in 1552 Archbishop
James Ussher calculated the origin of the Earth at 4004 BC based upon the Book
of Numbers in The Old Testament. This calculation received academic approval
four years later. John Lightfoot, Vice Chancellor of Cambridge University,
pronounced that `Heaven and Earth, centre and circumference, were made in the
same instant of time and clouds of water and man were created by The Trinity
on the 26th day of October, 4004 BC, at 9 o'clock in the morning'. Thus, when
Bruno declared his belief that the Earth revolves around the Sun he was accused
of heresy and other theories contrary to religious teachings, and burned at the
stake in Rome on 17 February 1600.
Galileo invented an astronomical telescope and discovered that the same
gravitational acceleration applies to both heavy and light objects. Leonardo da
Vinci observed the rise of liquids in small diameter tubes, thus identifying
capillary action. Of the engineers, Agricola (1556) (Latin pen name for the
writings of Georg Bauer) systemised basic aspects of gold metallurgy and made
outstanding contributions to science and technology with his descriptions of
mining operations during the period 1546 to 1556. He described the diversity of
factors of Earth Science, as studied by the miner, in the following terms:

First there is philosophy, that he may discern the origin, cause and nature of
subterranean things ±, Secondly there is medicine, that he may be able to look
after his diggers and other workmen ± Thirdly follows astronomy, that he may
know the divisions of the heavens and from them judge the directions of the
veins ± Fourthly there is the art of surveying ± Fifthly, his knowledge of
Arithmetic Science should be such that he may calculate the cost to be
incurred in the machinery and the working of the mine ± Sixth, his learning
should comprise Architecture that he, himself, may construct the various
machines ± or so that he may be able to explain the method and construction
to others ± Next, he must have a knowledge of Drawing that he can draw plans
of his machinery ± Lastly there is the Law, especially that dealing with the
metals, that he may claim his own rights Ð that he may not take another mans
property and that he may fulfil his obligations to others according to the law.

Philosophia Naturalis Principia Mathematica, published by Isaac Newton in
1687 was the most important scientific work of the 17th century. Amongst