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Story: Superphosphate

Bones for superphosphate

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Bones for superphosphate

Before rock phosphate was available for superphosphate manufacture, animal bones were used. They were collected from local freezing works, ground up, and treated with sulfuric acid.

Using this item

Archives New Zealand - Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga

Reference: AANR 6329 26 DA 32815

Permission of Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga must be obtained before any re-use of this material.

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How to cite this page

Arthur Duncan, Superphosphate – New Zealand superphosphate, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/15569/bones-for-superphosphate (accessed 10 June 2026).

Story by Arthur Duncan, published 1 March 2009.