Glittering granules

These tiny, glassy spheres were brought to the Inquiry Centre for identification. They were found in association with an ant's nest near Ceduna on the Nullarbor Plain, South Australia. Were they from outer space? Did the ants collect them from a wide area and bring them to their nest?

Examination under a microscope revealed that most were perfectly spherical, but a few spheres had melted together to make dumbbell shape. They were absolutely transparent, looked like glass and were so uniform in size that they had to be man-made. What possible use could they have?

It was some days before Museum staff found the answer and checked it out with the Department of Main Roads. The ants were a 'red herring'. The granules are a part of reflective paint frequently used for signs and dividing lines on roads. White paint is applied and, while wet, it is sprinkled with the granules. Presumably, during road construction, some leftover granules were dumped near an ant's nest.