Subsoil resources bring to the forefront the relationship
between man and nature, one of the dominant themes of MUSE, on the second
floor. Some of the greatest achievements of mankind in fact pass through the
discovery of a geological resource, such as metals or building materials.
At
the gallery entrance a timeline accompanied by archaeological finds, antiques
and modern industrial products guide the visitor through the history of mining
in the Alps, with a look at its fundamental stages in the rest of the world.
The miners' work is retold through objects that were part of their daily lives,
from helmets and lamps to surveying tools. From the mines, now part of the
economic past of the Alps, we proceed to the quarries of ornamental stones, a
resource which still holds great importance and is known all over the world.
You can make a virtual visit to the excavation sites and the streets of Trento,
whose appearance is strongly influenced by the use of local stone materials.
Passing from the local to the global, the gallery shows how in today's world
mining is still crucial. A map and an interactive periodic table reveal where
the strategic resources in the era of new technology are to be found, while you
can discover how unexpected everyday objects owe their characteristics to the
properties of minerals. The aesthetic side of the minerals is not neglected,
giving way to beautiful samples from mines which supply the market for
collectibles and precious stones.