Prospecting the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Müstair (Switzerland)

The Benedictine Convent of Saint John at Müstair is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the eastern part Switzerland close to South Tyrol’s border (Italy). Known as well-preserved Carolingian building complex housing and Romanesque frescoes, convent has received much academic attention. However, all research activities so far have been concentrated on area enclosed by convent’s walls, even though neighbouring fields east south are also property. This paper reports archaeological magnetic ground-penetrating radar surveys these areas, executed pilot project exploring immediate environment. At present, used for agriculture massive alluvial fan mountain stream Valgarola. Dense geophysical sampling revealed an intricate network distributary channels with mudflow deposits, constituting natural territory. In addition different field systems, newly discovered broad pathway appears be original Roman road. Numerous structural elements, mapped within could attributed specific phases. Over 40 large deep burial shafts, arranged three rows, were outside ground. Their design arrangement characteristic early medieval burials, such those 6th century Lombards edge Alps.