Prospecting the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Müstair (Switzerland)

A groundbreaking discovery of over 40 large, deep burial shafts arranged in three rows outside the Benedictine Convent of St John at Müstair (Switzerland) sheds light on early medieval burial practices, potentially dating to the 6th century Lombard era. These findings challenge previous assumptions about the convent's territorial boundaries and highlight its significance beyond its enclosed walls. The study employed advanced geophysical techniques—archaeological magnetic surveys and ground-penetrating radar—to map previously unexplored fields adjacent to the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Additionally, the research uncovered a broad pathway identified as an original Roman road, along with intricate field systems and distributary channels that delineate the convent's natural borders on a massive alluvial fan. This pilot project expands our understanding of Müstair's historical landscape, revealing its complex layers from Carolingian to Roman periods.

Schlegel, J., Verhoeven, G. J., Cassitti, P., Hinterleitner, A., Löcker, K., Schiel, H., Walser, C., Reitmaier, T., & Neubauer, W. (2021). Prospecting the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Müstair (Switzerland). Remote Sensing, 13(13), 2515. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs13132515