Material culture and museum research: a study related to science and technology cultural heritage in Geodiversity Museum (IGEO–UFRJ)

Abstract

This study was based on museological research, and presents the history of the scientific knowledge produced by the Federal University of Rio de
Janeiro — UFRJ (Brazil) from some objects found in the Geosciences Institute’s laboratories. For this, the Geodiversity Museum, through the project “Science and Technology Objects of the Geosciences Institute (IGeo) of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro: Research and Identification of a Heritage to be Discovered”, proposes a research to raise, catalogue and preserve scientific and educational objects and instruments that helped in the production and dissemination of academic knowledge. Despite having approximately one hundred and sixty-four items catalogued, two distinct objects stood out during the activities: one centenary barometer, brand Anciennes Maison Richard Frères Jules Richard, the collection’s oldest object, a donation from professor José Marques of the UFRJ Meteorology Department ; and one electronic sedimentation scale by Sartorius, acquired by the Geosciences Institute in 1970, being the most well documented item so far. Despite the relevance that this research has revealed, this collection needs more attention from the institution in order to ensure an adequate place to safeguard it, in addition to a greater support so it may continue, as many other objects can stand out in the preexisting set. Thus, we have verified that this research project was essencial for these discoveries to occur and that it will enable the institutional memory’s preservation and musealization of this part of UFRJ’s cultural heritage of science and technology.