Museology
/ˌmjuː.ziˈɒl.ə.dʒi/noun
The study of museums, their history, and their management.
Did you know?Museology comes from the same Greek root as museum, which originally meant a place dedicated to the Muses — the divine source of inspiration, memory, and sacred art.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Gk
Μοῦσα (Moûsa)
“A Muse, one of the divine goddesses of inspiration and the arts”
Ancient Greek
Gk
μουσεῖον (mouseîon)
“A place dedicated to the Muses; a seat of learning”
Late Latin
Lat
museum
“A place of study or philosophical contemplation”
19th Century
Fr/Eng
muséologie
“The study of museums and their principles”
Modern English
Eng
museology
“The academic study of museums”