Hungarian National Museum

About: Hungarian National Museum is a archive organization based out in Budapest, Hungary. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Chalcolithic & Population. The organization has 70 authors who have published 106 publications receiving 2223 citations. The organization is also known as: Magyar Nemzeti Múzeum.

A gold hoard from savaria

Abstract: The hoard came to light in Szombathely-Hereny in 1992 and contains 38 aurei from the period of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. The hoard terminates with Nero’s aureus issued in 62/63, but it may have been buried years, even decades later.

Blowing in the Wind, Sinking in the Swamp: Mosaburg – Zalavár

Abstract: Zalavar and its surroundings are considered one of the most important 9th-century localities in the Carpathian Basin. The centre at Zalavar-Castle Island retained its role even after the Hungarian conquest and kept it until the 13th c. By the middle of the 20th c. the remnants over the surface were completely destroyed, and in some places even the foundations were removed. Although archaeological research revealed many remains, only a few were reconstructed. Considering the 19th and 20th-century political/national ideas about the site, its interpretation Archaeological excavations resulted in new information about the region, which led to an increased interest in the site and to both tourism and pilgrimage evolving significantly. The site became a place of political commemoration. Due to social changes among the villagers from Zalavar, the community gradually lost interest in the site, even though it lies only 1.5 km from the village. Experience suggests that without involving the local community, conservation work will be unviable.

Hungarian Museums in Transition

Abstract: The epoch-making changes that shook the former communist countries of central and eastern Europe have had profound repercussions on all aspects of cultural life and notably on museums. Accustomed to stable budgets and unqualified government support, they must now seek new means of survival in a society that is still in a state of flux. Istvan Gedai, Director of the Hungarian National Museum, describes their problems and sheds light on some of the deep-rooted questions posed by major social transformation.

Ceramics, Marbles and Stones in the Light of Neutrons: Characterization by Various Neutron Methods

Abstract: In this chapter we give a brief overview of neutron based analytical investigations applied to study archaeological ceramics, and different types of stones. Since the vast majority of archaeological objects are made of ceramics and various stones—all are of geological origin—, one of the key objectives of these studies to determine the origin of raw material. This research is called provenance research, and a wide range of neutron based methods are applicable in it. Following a very basic, user-oriented description of the methods, we introduce examples from our everyday practice. The examples are about provenance of prehistoric stone tools, about the sources of 4th–3rd c. B.C. millennium limestone idols found in the South of Portugal, as well as about the characterization of 15th–16th c. A.D. Inka pottery. A very unique application of combined neutron techniques was aimed to determine the inner content of an Eighteenth Dynasty Egyptian sealed vessel. In addition, investigations of samples from different epochs and characterization of marbles are presented.

When Spain dictated fashion: A Hungarian lady's richly decorated garments, c. 1600

Abstract: The rescue of the remains of a set of female garments from the end of the sixteenth or the beginning of the seventeenth century, discovered during an excavation in the Benedictine Church of Our Lady in Sopron, Hungary, is described. The pieces of clothing are made from fabrics woven and decorated with fine metal threads and tailored in the Spanish and Hungarian fashion. They are of particular importance because no clothes from that age and in that style, worn only by the aristocracy, had previously been found in Hungary and their use had only been documented by pictorial representations and inventories. Conservation work on the poorly conserved fabrics and their ornaments was preceded by comprehensive examination of the finds aimed at identifying the materials and techniques used in their manufacture. The preliminary study indicated the working processes and aided in the choice of appropriate materials and techniques for their conservation.