- Pulhamite
Pulhamite was a
patented anthropic rock invented by James Pulham (1820-98) of the firmJames Pulham and Son ofBroxbourne . Pulhamite was used to join natural rocks together or crafted to simulate natural stone features. The recipe went to the grave with him [ [http://www.pulham.org.uk/ The Pulham Legacy] ] .It is an
artificial but very convincingsandstone . Considerable care was taken to simulate geological features such as bedding-planes, pebble-beds, shale layers (differentially eroded), rock-jointing etc. [Sowan, P W (2002), Pulhamite found in Croydon! [http://www.greig51.freeserve.co.uk/cnhss/bull115b.htm Croydon Natural History and Scientific Society Bulletin, issue 115] ]Distinguishing features of Pulhamite exposures, include [Robinson E. (1994) The mystery of Pulhamite and an 'outcrop' in Battersea Park. Proc. Geologists' Association, 105(2), 141-143.] :
* The constructions saw an extensive use of clinker and builders' rubble onto which the pulhamite cement mix was poured sculpted.
*The predominant effect sought was always a gritty sandstone.
*There was a high standard of workmanship to create as realistic an appearance as possible.References
External links
* [http://www.pulham.org.uk/ The Pulham Legacy]
* [http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.18750 Durability Guaranteed - Pulhamite Rockwork] pdf file on theEnglish Heritage website.
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