Recuperación de la Colección Histórica “Bargalló” de la Universidad de Alcalá

Abstract

The work of cataloguing and the management of geological collections for teaching and research which are being carried at the Department of Geology, Geography and Environment of the University of Alcalá (Spain), has resulted in the recovery, reunion and restoration of certain material of the historical “Bargalló” collection which had been lost and scattered across different faculties. This educational collection consists of rocks, minerals and fossils, as well as part of the original annexed labelling and some boxes of various sizes. This collection was prepared in the early 20th century by the Professor Modesto Bargalló, for use in his classes of Natural Sciences at the “Escuela de Magisterio de Guadalajara” (Teacher Training College of Guadalajara). At present, this collection is incomplete, but more than fifty lithological, mineralogical and palaeontological samples have been recovered. This material, together with the works published by Bargalló, is of a high historical value as it represents the tangible proof of the theoretical approach and the implementation of the innovative teaching methods of this professor.