Preservation, display and scientific care of historical articles and museum objects is mainly studied under which of the following branches of knowledge?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Museology

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This question concerns specialised branches of historical and cultural studies. Museums play a major role in preserving and displaying historical objects. The academic field that deals with museum management, preservation techniques and exhibition methods has a specific name, and the question asks for that term.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The focus is on preservation and display of historical articles and museum objects.
  • Options given are iconography, numismatic, museology and epigraphy.
  • Each option refers to a different specialised field in history or art studies.


Concept / Approach:
Museology is the study of museums. It covers museum organisation, conservation, documentation, exhibition design and public education. Iconography studies images and symbols in art. Numismatics deals with coins and currencies. Epigraphy is the study of inscriptions on stone, metal or other materials. Because the question emphasises preservation and display of historical articles in museums, museology is the correct choice.


Step-by-Step Solution:

Step 1: Match each term with its core meaning. Step 2: Iconography focuses on interpretation of images and symbols in visual art. Step 3: Numismatics is the systematic study of coins, medals and related objects. Step 4: Epigraphy centres on inscriptions carved or engraved on surfaces. Step 5: Museology specifically deals with museum management, preservation and display of objects. Therefore museology fits the description given in the question.


Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, simply connect the root word museum with museology. This straightforward link helps you remember that museology is the science of museums. When you read about courses that train museum curators and conservators, they are usually titled master in museology or similar. None of the other terms carry such a direct link to the word museum.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Iconography: Deals with symbolic representation in art, not with museum operations as such.

Numismatic: Focuses narrowly on coins and currency, which are only one type of museum object.

Epigraphy: Studies inscriptions and scripts, but not the overall preservation and exhibition techniques for all artifacts in museums.


Common Pitfalls:
Confusion often arises between numismatics and museology because both relate to historical objects. However, numismatics is limited to coins and similar items, whereas museology is broader and covers all aspects of museums, including coins as one category. The safest method is to associate each term with a key word: icons for iconography, coins for numismatics, museums for museology and inscriptions for epigraphy.


Final Answer:
The study of preservation and display of historical articles in museums is called museology.

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