Schwazer Bergbuch is an illuminated, handwritten manuscript
produced in 1556 for a small, select circle. It is preserved in
four versions and provides insight into mining of the ancient
times. In the same year as the oldest copy of the book
appeared, so did Agricola's mining industry manual. Theories
are that the book was made by mountain clerks of the court in
Schwaz to attract financial investors and trading partners. Part
one contains the "Schwazerisch Erfündung", the rules for
miners, regulation of mine property, the supervision of the
mountain and work and social aspects of the mining industry.
Part two is concerned with notes to the mining industry,
descriptions of the specific locale of the mining industry,
different devices and the tasks of the mountain officials as well
as the remuneration of the miners. The third part is the oldest
illustrated mine industry encyclopedia, and the fourth is a
compilation of the jurisdiction of the Schwazer mountain court.
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