The ''Antiquarische Gesellschaft in Zürich'' (Antiquarian Society of Zürich), often shortened to ''Antiquarische'' or ''AGZ'', is an association concerned with the study and preservation of the history of the
canton of Zürich
The canton of Zürich (german: Kanton Zürich ; rm, Chantun Turitg; french: Canton de Zurich; it, Canton Zurigo) is a Swiss canton in the northeastern part of the country. With a population of (as of ), it is the most populous canton in the ...
. The society has its headquarters next to the public records of Zürich.
History
The society was founded in 1832 by
Ferdinand Keller Ferdinand Keller may refer to:
* Ferdinand Keller (archaeologist) (1800–1881), Swiss archaeologist and prehistorian
* Ferdinand Keller (footballer)
Ferdinand Keller (born 30 July 1946 in Munich) is a German former football player. He spent fi ...
as a scholarly society of the
urban middle class
The middle class refers to a class of people in the middle of a social hierarchy, often defined by occupation, income, education, or social status. The term has historically been associated with modernity, capitalism and political debate. Commo ...
. Despite being merely a
private association, it was granted a near monopoly on the findings of
archaeological
Archaeology or archeology is the scientific study of human activity through the recovery and analysis of material culture. The archaeological record consists of artifacts, architecture, biofacts or ecofacts, sites, and cultural landscap ...
excavations by both the city and canton. Since 1837 the AGZ has published its reports annually. In 1887
Jakob Messikommer
Jakob Messikommer (18 August 1828 – 23 August 1917) was a Swiss archaeologist who among others discovered and researched the UNESCO serial site Wetzikon–Robenhausen.
Bibliography
Personal life
Born in the hamlet of ''Stegen'' in Wetzik ...
(1828–1917) who discovered and researched the prehistoric settlement
Wetzikon–Robenhausen at
Robenhausen
Robenhausen is a locality in Wetzikon, one of the municipalities of the canton of Zürich, Switzerland. The wetland Robenhauser Ried belongs to the protected area surrounding ''Pfäffikersee''. The prehistoric pile dwelling around Lake Zurich ''W ...
established a regional section. 1862, the society initiated the
Schweizerisches Idiotikon.
Objective
Quote: ''Die Antiquarische Gesellschaft versteht sich als Brücke zwischen der Geschichtswissenschaft und einer an historischen Fragen interessierten Öffentlichkeit.''
(The ''Antiquarische Gesellschaft'' aims to be a bridge between the science of history and the historical enquiries of the interested public.)
To further this aim the society organises
lectures, which usually take place in the winter; excursions, often in the summer or autumn; and guidance to researchers. The publications of the society rank alongside the ''Zürich Taschenbuch'' as the most important and valuable reference works for historians of Zürich to consult. The autumn lectures have become highly valued for the opportunity they present for the museums of Zürich to exchange information and ideas. In recent years the society has placed primary focus on conserving and restoring historical
artifacts and
archive
An archive is an accumulation of historical records or materials – in any medium – or the physical facility in which they are located.
Archives contain primary source documents that have accumulated over the course of an individual or ...
s.
External links
Website of the ''Antiquarische Gesellschaft in Zürich''
{{DEFAULTSORT:Antiquarische Gesellschaft in Zurich
Culture of Zürich
History of Zürich