Cemetery materials:

1. Cemetery materials: Identification of the variety of materials that can be found in our cemeteries

2. Cemetery materials: Rocks Identification of the type of rock that can be found in our cemeteries

3. Identification of Rocks used for Memorial Headstones Rock fizzes with acid Rock does not fizz with acid Limestone Grains are crystals. Tightly held together Rounded Grains Rock is made of small gritty, grains like sand. More commonly used in early days for headstones Grains not arranged in layers Grains arranged in layers Rock embedded with larger rounded pebbles. Often used for fence posts and plinths for headstones Large crystals of pale colour. Comes in a variety of colours and is highly polished. Conglomerate Sandstone Granite Hard dark grey rock brittle – splits into thin sheets. Most uncommon Hard white rock. Widely used stone in cemeteries due to colour. For extra activities on rock identification see http://www.kidsgeo.com/geology-games/rocks-game.php Marble Slate

4. Sandstone • Sedimentary rock. • Soft and crumbly. • Made of large grains. Materials

5. Limestone • Sedimentary rock • Made from sea shells. • Can contain fossils. Materials

6. The Poulnabrone Dolmen in Northern Ireland is an ancient burial chamber. Limestone • The burial chamber was built between 5800 and 5200 years ago. • The Dolmen is made of limestone. Materials Image by Stephen Roulston: http://www.geographyinaction.co.uk/Assets/Photo_albums/Eleven/pages/Burren3.html

7. The Pyramids are ancient burial chambers for the Pharoahs, or kings, of Egypt Limestone • They were built about 4500 years ago. Materials Photo taken by Ricardo Liberatohttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/ • The pyramids are made of limestone which was more easily quarried with copper saws, the hardest metal available at the time.

8. Conglomerate • Rock soft and crumbly • Rock embedded with small pebbles. • Conglomerate is frequently used in the cemetery usually for corner posts and plinths. Materials

9. Marble • Metamorphic rock • Made from heated •  and compressed     limestone                        . Materials

10. Granite • Igneous rock • Hard Strong. • Interlocking crystals of Quartz, Mica and Feldspar. Materials

11. The Legananny Dolmen in Ireland is an ancient burial chamber Granite • Built between 4000 and 4500 years ago. • The Dolmen is made of granite. Materials Image Image by Stephen Roulston: http://www.geographyinaction.co.uk/Assets/Photo_albums/Eleven/pages/Legananny%20Dolmen.html

12. Granite comes in several different colours. – Grey, pink, red and black. Granite Materials

13. Granite Examples Granite can be…… Materials Red Pink brown

14. Granite Granite can be…… Materials Black

15. Granite Granite can be…… Materials Grey

16. Slate • Metamorphic rock • Very hard and brittle. • Splits into thin sheets. Materials

17. Cemetery data gathering: At the cemetery students can identify type of stone used and record when they were first erected Limestone/ Sandstone Wood Slate Marble Granite Concrete with marble or granite plaques Metal

18. Battleship curves are a great way to graph changing popularity of stone types over time. Records from Allanton Cemetery Dunedin. Natural stone with bronze plaque

19. Classroom Science Inquiry Your task is to choose the best rock type for a monument of your own design that will last for many, many years. Your decision will be based on appearance, hardness, ability to withstand chemical attack, and porosity or water absorbency of the material, and how these meet your design needs. Activity One Decide on which of the rocks you think looks nice and say why you would like to make a monument out of your choice.

20. Experiment 2 Softer rocks are easier to carve and shape but are prone to weathering. In this experiment you will be testing a variety of rocks for their hardness? How will you compare the rock samples. How will you make it a fair and accurate test? How will you record your results? (Some recording ideas are shown below) What equipment will you need? Samples of different kinds of rocks (labeled). A sample of wood can also be included 10c coin (copper) Steel knifeYour own fingernailsEye protection. materials Can you find an order of hardness for the samples?

21. Mohs’ Scale of hardness If you have only one or two rock samples you can find their hardness using Mohs’ Scale of Hardness. 1 on the scale is the softest stone and 10 on the scale is the hardest. Use the chart to help you decide on the hardness of your rock samples. Marble can be scratched with a knife blade and a coin but not by a fingernail. Which is the harder of these two stones? Limestone Granite For more information see on Mohs Scale see http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/387714/Mohs-hardness

22. Experiment 3 Softer rocks are easier to carve and shape but are prone to weathering. In this experiment you will be testing a variety of rocks for erosion. What equipment will you need? Samples of different kinds of rocks (labeled). Metal file NewsprintAccurate balanceEye protection How will you judge how much rock you have worn away? How will you make it a fair and accurate test? How will you record your results? (A way of recording your data is shown below) materials

23. Experiment 4 Which rocks are safest from chemical attack? How will you compare the affect of acid on the rock samples. How will you make it a fair and accurate test?How will you make sure your tests are safe? How will you record your results? (A way of recording your data is shown below) What equipment will you need? Samples of different kinds of rocks (labeled). Dilute sulphuric acid Bowl for used rock samples Beakers Eye protection materials

24. Experiment 5 Which rocks absorb water and which are less porous? How will you judge how much water the rock samples have absorbed? How will you make it a fair and accurate test? How will you record your results? (A way of recording your data is shown below) What equipment will you need? Samples of different kinds of rocks (labeled). Plastic beakers Paper towels Balance to measure mass materials

25. Experiment 6 Will those rocks which are more densely constructed last longer? You can calculate the density of materials by dividing its mass by its volume. mass (g) ÷ volume cm3 = density (g/cm3) What equipment will you need? Samples of different kinds of rocks (labeled). Plastic beaker and trough Water Measuring cylinder Accurate balance to measure massCalculator How will you measure the mass of the rock samples? How will you measure the volume of the rock samples? How will you make it a fair and accurate test? materials Experiment 6 Continued on next slide

26. Experiment 6 (Continued) Generally those rocks which are more densely constructed will last longer? You can calculate the density of materials by dividing its mass by its volume. mass (g) ÷ volume cm3 = density (g/cm3) Tip overflow water from beaker into measuring cylinder Overflow water materials Water Displacement trough Measuring Cylinder How will you record your results? (One way of recording your data is shown below)

27. Experiment 7 Record the details of the purpose your monument and draw up your design. Combine your experimental results into one chart for example… Provide your reasons for the choice of building material for the monument you have in mind.

28. Resources