The Archeological collections
The archaeological collections include finds from prehistory to the early Middle Ages, all originating from the Museum System area. The most substantial collections consist of materials from the Iron Age, Roman Age, and Lombard Age.
BRONZE AGE
The finds come from sporadic discoveries in Montecchio Maggiore (Castelli and Monte Nero), Castelgomberto (Monte Castello), and Brendola. They are mainly ceramics that bear witness to the first forms of settlement and daily activities.
IRON AGE
Materials found in villages with semi-underground houses, including the excavation of the Trissino cemetery, with workshop houses dating from the 4th and 5th centuries BC. Ceramic and metal finds also come from the settlement and necropolis of Montecchio Maggiore.
THE CELTS
The necropolis of Gualiva (Montecchio Vicentino) has yielded rich grave goods. Particularly noteworthy are the fibulae, armillae, necklaces, numerous weapons, and refined perforated belt hooks, evidence of Celtic culture and craftsmanship.
ROMANIZATION
Finds such as decorated bronze plates from Montecchio Maggiore (San Giacomo) and Brendola bear witness to the beginning of the Romanization of the territory. Everyday objects from Montebello Vicentino are also present.
ROMAN AGE
The most numerous finds come from rural settlements and necropolises in Montecchio Maggiore, Arzignano, and Altavilla. Of particular note are: the Carpane Necropolis (4th century AD); the Tomb of the Knight of Cava Poscola (5th century AD, Arzignano); Necropolis of Alte Ceccato (2nd-3rd century AD)
LOMBARDIAN AGE
Burials found in Montecchio Maggiore (Hospital, S. Urbano), Arzignano, Castelgomberto, and Monticello di Fara (Sarego). The male grave goods include precious belt elements decorated with agemina, spathe, and scramasax; the female grave goods include beautiful armillae. The burial of the knight of Monticello di Fara is particularly exceptional, with its rich grave goods.
The Natural History collections
In addition to an initial core of historical collections, particularly from the early 20th century, assembled by the museum’s founder Giuseppe Zannato, the natural history collections now include a vast section of paleontological finds. Among these is one of the most important European collections of fossil crabs, with thousands of prepared specimens and hundreds of holotypes and paratypes. In keeping with the founder’s multifaceted scientific curiosity, these are accompanied by several new botanical, zoological, and mineralogical collections of great local and international importance, originating from scientific expeditions, citizen science projects, donations, and acquisitions, which are constantly increasing.
PALEONTOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS
Collections consisting mainly of fossil crustacean specimens, most of which come from the Tertiary rocks of the province of Vicenza. There are also other samples from Italian and foreign locations that are useful for comparison or educational display. Approximately 15% of the specimens are holotypes or paratypes of new species or genera.
MINERALOGICAL COLLECTIONS
Collections consisting mainly of samples from the Vicenza area. There are also amber specimens from various sources, zeolites from the Faroe Islands, and petrographic materials.
BOTANICAL COLLECTIONS
Herbariums relating to the Montecchio Maggiore area and the Veneto region. Some herbariums from scientific expeditions outside Europe; a collection consisting of plaster casts of fungi and dried woody fungi.
ZOOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS
Taxidermied and mounted vertebrates, a large part of which come from the historic Zannato collection from the early 20th century; other collections mainly include taxidermied birds mounted on pedestals from Italian fauna and, to a lesser extent, mammals and some reptiles from Europe.
ENTOMOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS
Various entomological boxes of different orders of insects, relevant to the Veneto region and some exotic areas. Mainly mantids (in alcohol and dried) and specimens of other orders, especially lepidoptera, orthoptera, and coleoptera. Holotypes and paratypes are present.
OSTEOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS
Osteological collections, mainly of local and exotic mammal skulls and some bird and reptile bones.
