Insights into the Black Forest collection of the State Museum of Natural History Karlsruhe

The mineralogical and petrographic collection of the State Museum of Natural History Karlsruhe (SMNK) houses a broad collection of specimens from mineral deposits of the Black Forest. This collection includes specimens dating back to the 18th century, from the private collections of Margravine Karoline Luise, as well as specimens from the geological survey of the Grand Duchy of Baden, which was the first comprehensive geological survey of Baden, and was probably incorporated into the well-known Prussian geological survey. Expanded by ongoing collecting activities, the Black Forest collection provides historical documentation of mining in the Black Forest, as well as an important geological archive. With current considerations on the security of raw materials supply in Germany and efforts to resume mining in Baden (e.g., the Käfersteige mine near Pforzheim), the collection is also relevant outside of fundamental research efforts. Here we provide insights into the current collection management strategies, as well as digitalization efforts and digital availability of the collection.