Rocks are made up of one mineral, or a mixture of minerals. Minerals are made up of elements, which are simple substances which cannot be broken down into any other substance. Sometimes minerals are made of only one element, but most minerals are made up of two or more elements. Many minerals are made up of a large number of elements.

Minerals are often found as shapeless lumps. These pieces are called "massive". Some minerals can also form special shapes, which can help you to identify them.

How did museums start? The word "museum" comes from Greek word mouseion, which means "temple of Muses." The Muses were goddesses of arts whose lives were removed from cares of everyday life. One of first mouseion's was founded in Alexandria, Egypt in 3rd century B.C. Every sort of information which was of interest to scholars was collected. Scholars lived and did their research there. On display were objects of art, instruments used in astronomy and surgery, elephant tusks and hides of unusual animals. The Museum of Alexandria would today be known as a museum for scientific research.

In Middle Ages, cathedral treasuries and monasteries stored collections of ornamented objects such as cups and goblets which were used during celebration of mass and book covers and treasures which were relics of saints or martyrs. The public could only visit during special holy days or for feast day of patron saint of church.