As we all know, a museum houses and cares for a collection of artifacts
and other objects of scientific, artistic or historical importance and
exhibits them for public viewing. They give us a peep into the past and
acquaints us with era's, even dating back to the prehistoric age. They
are the embodiment of our heritage- a depiction of the qualities, traditions,
features of life that have been continued over many years and passed on
from one generation to another. The sociological and educational role
of museums has evolved over the years, making museums more varied and
imaginative. Museums are classified as art museums, history museums which
include archaeological museums, and science and technological museums,
maritime museums, military and war museums and so on.
Museology (also called museum studies) is the study of organizing and
managing museums and museum collections. In other words, museology is
the science of Museums, and museum studies denote academic programs, generally
graduate programs, in the management, administration, or theory of museums.
Museum being the repositories of our heritage and culture, this career
is most suited for those with an analytical bent of mind and those who
love or have an interest to know about the past. It is a profession where
history is revealed not through history books but first hand through solid
artifacts of history lined across museum walls. It ensures that our precious
heritage and culture are not only well-preserved but also made attractive
and accessible to the layman. One who is responsible for museum management
is called museologist.
In a nutshell, a proper understanding of the past and disseminating
information about it is the work of a museologist. Museology an allied
subject of Archeology teaches museum ogranisation and management including
collection, documentation and research, exhibition of contents, conservation
and preservation, museum security and administration as well as museum
architecture. Some years ago, museology was connected only with archaeology,
art and paintings, but in recent years it has begun to represent many
other aspects such as anthropology, arms and armour, numismatics, epigraphy,
jewellery etc.
