lapidarium

A lapidarium is a collection or dedicated space for stone artifacts, especially architectural fragments, sculpture, inscriptions, and other carved stone remains. The term, derived from the Latin lapis meaning stone, is used in museology and archaeology and is common in several languages to denote a repository of stone monuments.

Contents and scope vary, but lapidaria typically house inscriptions (epigraphs) in Latin, Greek, or local languages, as well as tombstones, stelae, sarcophagi, reliefs, capitals, friezes, and fragments from temples, arches, or other stone structures. Some lapidariums emphasize epigraphy and the interpretation of inscriptions, while others present a broader array of stone monuments from ancient, medieval, or more recent periods. Many items arrive from excavations, urban salvage, or architectural demolitions and relocations.

Purposes include preservation, scholarly study, and public education. They provide access to fragile or dispersed artifacts, support research in archaeology, art history, and architectural history, and help contextualize local or regional heritage. Lapidaria can aid conservation planning and interpretation of past civilizations through material culture.

Venues vary: indoor museum rooms or wings, dedicated lapidarium buildings, or open-air installations within archaeological parks or churchyards. Some communities maintain lapidaria as part of a larger museum complex or diocesan collection. The term is sometimes used interchangeably with epigraphic or stone collections, but it should not be confused with lapidary, the craft of cutting and polishing stones.