‘Treasure trove’ of lost artefacts found in Swiss monastery
After years of searching, the missing historical artefacts were found in Sarnen, canton Obwalden, Switzerland.
Keystone / Urs Flueeler
Some 2,000 archeological objects, some dating back to the Stone Age, have been uncovered during a spring clean of a monastery attic in central Switzerland.
The artefacts are part of a large collection assembled by Benedictine monk, Father Emmanuel Scherer (1876-1929), which were declared missing during an inventory in 1987.
The missing items eventually turned up in some drawers in a Benedictine monastery in Sarnen, canton Obwalden, as it was being prepared for refurbishment.
More
More
How a hobby archaeologist uncovered a Roman battle site
This content was published on
A dentist and his metal detector find the unique remains of a 2,000-year-old battle between Roman soldiers and Swiss warriors.
The objects, from Switzerland, France, Italy, Greece and the United States, include French arrowheads dating back 40,000 years, a Stone Age axe, antlers and an oil lamp.
The find has been declared an historical “treasure trove” by the archeological department of nearby Lucerne, which will sort through and itemize the artefacts in the coming months.
Since 1907, Swiss law states that historical artefacts must be returned to the canton in which they were discovered.
An exhibition is planned for 2024 to allow the public to view the now-reunited Father Scherer archeological collection.
Popular Stories
More
Foreign Affairs
How a top Swiss university is screening Chinese students
Media: Swiss medical services done abroad are billed at Swiss rates
This content was published on
In Switzerland, some medical services carried out abroad are still billed at Swiss rates, despite costing less, RTS reports.
This content was published on
Sophie Hediger, a member of the Swiss national snowboard cross team, has died in an avalanche in Arosa. She was 26 years old.
This content was published on
Several Swiss films exceeded the 100,000 admissions mark worldwide in 2024 and received widespread praise at international film festivals.
Swiss Alpine resorts covered in white gold for Christmas
This content was published on
Many areas at low altitudes in Switzerland are enjoying a blanket of snow. In the mountains, intense precipitation has delighted skiers.
SWISS makes emergency landing in Austria after smoke in cockpit
This content was published on
Swiss International Airlines (SWISS) made an emergency landing of an Airbus in Graz, Austria on Monday evening after engine problems.
L’Oréal acquires South Korean subsidiary of Migros’ cosmetics brand
This content was published on
French cosmetics firm L'Oréal is acquiring Gowoonsesang Cosmetics, the South Korean subsidiary of the Migros-owned Mibelle group, for an undisclosed sum.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
How a hobby archaeologist uncovered a Roman battle site
This content was published on
A dentist and his metal detector find the unique remains of a 2,000-year-old battle between Roman soldiers and Swiss warriors.
This content was published on
Swiss public television SRF reports that the archeological office of Bern lodged the complaint after discovering signs of unauthorised digging at the site of the ancient burial site in northwestern Switzerland. One of the two members of the public who made the initial discovery last October told SRF that he had been quizzed by police…
This content was published on
Scientists from the Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research at Bern University say there’s a chain of evidence supporting a theory that shepherds living in southwestern Switzerland around 5,000 BC drove their herds to pastures situated at around 2,750 metres above sea level in the Alps. “We have strong indications that argue that people were…
This content was published on
The warning comes ahead of the introduction of new legislation tightening the rules on imports and sales of cultural goods. The NGO says many travellers fail to realise that “souvenirs”, especially in developing nations, are often objects stripped from historical sites, stolen from tombs or from their legitimate owners. “A country’s heritage is not a…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.