2 LIMEKILNS NEAR BATHURST
2. LIMEKILNS NEAR BATHURST I have selected Limekilns for the first blog entry, as this appears to be the first place in NSW where a limestone cave was reported and explored (1821) . Previously, explorer George Evans had observed and recorded the presence of limestone in several places near Canowindra (1816). The discovery of limestone was significant because of its use in making mortar and for agricultural purposes. Previously, sea shells had been gathered in large quantities around Sydney and Newcastle, including from aboriginal middens, and roasted to make quicklime which was then "slaked" by adding water to produce slaked lime, usually referred to as lime. Limestone is essentially calcium carbonate and it is commonly derived from marine shellfish. Fossils of these are frequently found in limestone and associated sedimentary rocks. A little chemistry: calcium carbonate (calcite) CaCO 3; calcium ...