Material Sample Collection at the Monastery of St. John, Müstair (Switzerland)
Type Collection
Date of creation of the archive
- 1960
Date of closure of the archive
- N/A
Creator(s) of the archive
- Foundation Pro Convent St. John Müstair, Archaeological Service of the Canton of Grisons
Summary Description
- The collection of the Müstair Monastery is numerous and consists of very diverse materials. The around 4 500 materials samples, together with the over 25 000 archaeological finds encompass material classes both of organic nature (wood, bone) and inorganic (plaster, different types of mortar, painted plaster, metals, soils). Many material samples have been collected during archaeological excavations and conservation-restoration campaigns undertaken in the convent since the 1960s. Many of the samples have not yet been studied and have therefore not been subjected to sample preparation. From others, polished and thin sections, cores, samples for dendrochronological dating, powders have been produced. The samples date to different historical periods, which range from the Bronze Age to the 21st century. The collection has a high historical, artistic and scientific value; it constitutes a rich and valuable source of information, of great importance for the disciplines working in the field of archaeology, history and cultural heritage research and conservations.
Extent
- Type and number of units
- 500 prepared samples, 25 000 archaeological finds
Object type
- Archaeological find
Building
Cross-section
Jewelry
Mural painting
Painting
Samples
Sculpture
Thin-section
Material type
- Building related material
Ceramic, glass, enamel
Copper
Earth
Ivory
Metal
Mortar
Paint
Pigment
Soil
Stone
Stucco
Textile, fabric, dyes
Wood
Geographic Distribution
- Switzerland
Statement of Significance
- The collection of samples gathered over time in the monastery of Müstair represents a valuable resource in terms of potential for applied research in the field of cultural heritage. The vastness of the materials and the differences in terms of raw material processing underscore the richness and diversity of the collection. The wealth of materials available offers a comprehensive perspective on the cultural, technological, and artistic advancements of the region over time.
Accessibility
- Yes - upon request
Access requirements
- To grant access to the physical samples, researchers need to contact the local Foundation in advance and demonstrate a legitimate need.
Type of users
- Researchers engaged in cultural heritage research
Keywords
- Archaeology
Architecture
Conservation
Conservation Science
Excavation
History of technology
Industrial archaeology
Natural history
Non-destructive technique
Restoration
Technical art history
Finding aids
- Because the Foundation has been continually present at the site since 1969 and has actively collected all available data on the monastery, it exists a good and very complete documentation on the samples, as well as the architectural, archaeological and historical context.
External link