18 July 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

A 2700-year-old collection of more than 60 bronze and iron objects found in Bükk in northwestern Hungary

An excavation project led by a university team specializing in the Bronze and Iron Ages in Bükk in northwestern Hungary, with the participation of volunteers and students, has uncovered a rich collection of extremely interesting artifacts, including more than 60 bronze and iron objects.

The research centers on an ancient village located at the top of the Verebce-bérc mountain. Before it was destroyed by an attack, this village flourished in the seventh and sixth centuries BC. This year is the sixth year of field research and the third season of excavations.

In three research events this year, the team identified buildings burnt down during the previous siege and continued to search the area with metal detector equipment.

Metal detector surveys in the area have revealed an astonishing array of metal artifacts that offer new insights into cultural ties in this region. The most outstanding discovery is a collection of more than 60 bronze and iron objects, mostly jewellery and horse harnesses, which were probably buried during the siege.

Péter Mogyorós PhD student, Nikolett Dienes, and Angéla Farkas archaeology students. Photo: ELTE BTK Régészettudományi Intézet blogja (ELTE BTK Archaeological Institute blog)
Péter Mogyorós PhD student, Nikolett Dienes, and Angéla Farkas archaeology students. Photo: ELTE BTK Régészettudományi Intézet blogja (ELTE BTK Archaeological Institute blog)

This treasure is particularly noteworthy because of its ties to the cultures of Southeast Europe, especially the Balkan region. Researchers believe that this assemblage was buried to fend off attack, making it an invaluable document of the village’s past wars, trade and cross-cultural exchange.

Numerous distinguished experts from different universities participated in the project and worked together on various aspects, including research and logistics. Berlin-based archaeologist Bernhard Heeb and University of Olomouc professor Martin Golec are among the guests. The staff of the Bükk National Park also assisted the team with the help of experts such as Bartha Attila, Ézsöl Tibor, and Holló Sándor. Members of the National Research Institute of the Hungarian National Museum provided support, including Fullár Zoltán and Bakos Gábor.

Excavations at the discovery site. Photo: ELTE BTK Régészettudományi Intézet blogja (ELTE BTK Archaeological Institute blog)
Excavations at the discovery site. Photo: ELTE BTK Régészettudományi Intézet blogja (ELTE BTK Archaeological Institute blog)

National Archaeological Institute (National Museum of Hungary)

Cover Image: ELTE BTK (Institute of Archaeology Blog)

Related Articles

A Second temple of the Second Temple period was discovered at Migdal

13 December 2021

13 December 2021

The University of Haifa reported on Sunday the discovery of a 2,000-year-old synagogue from the Second Temple era in Migdal,...

Discovery Shedding Light on the Mysteries of Anatolia: 3500-year-old Double-Headed Eagle Seal

21 October 2024

21 October 2024

A grain silo and two different seal impressions, one of which is a double-headed eagle, were found during the excavation...

A Little-Known Civilization in the Americas Built Pyramids as Old as Ancient Egypt

26 June 2022

26 June 2022

Considered the cradle of civilization in the Americas, the Sacred City of Caral-Supe is a 5000-year-old archaeological site, situated on...

Poseidon’s Trident Discovered in Lake İznik

4 May 2025

4 May 2025

The depths of Lake İznik have yielded a discovery of profound significance, instantly captivating historians and archaeologists. The recent recovery...

16th-Century Shipwreck Discovered at Record Depth Off French Mediterranean Coast

12 June 2025

12 June 2025

The deepest shipwreck ever documented in French territorial waters has been found over 2,500 meters below the surface. In a...

Roman era total of 46 early settler burials discovered in Germany

17 September 2023

17 September 2023

Students from Goethe University Frankfurt, in collaboration with the Hesse archeology department at the Darmstadt branch of the State Monument...

1900 years old a rare mosaic was discovered in Durrës, Albania

6 November 2023

6 November 2023 1

In the port city of Durrës, on the Adriatic Sea in western Albania, a unique mosaic dating back 1900 years...

A spectacular rare ancient Roman bronze coin depicting the moon goddess was discovered off the coast of Israel

25 July 2022

25 July 2022

A rare 1850-year-old exceptionally well-preserved bronze coin depicting the Roman moon goddess Luna has been found off the coast of...

Ancient Roman coin thought to be fake -certainly authentic and proves the existence of ‘forgotten’ leader Sponsian, study claims

26 November 2022

26 November 2022

History is littered with artifacts that were later discovered to be forgeries, but the opposite can also occur. A new...

2,300 years old amazing preserved looks almost new Celtic scissors discovered in Germany

30 April 2023

30 April 2023

During a construction project in Munich’s Sendling district, Celtic cremation tombs were discovered. The quality of preservation of the grave...

1400-year-old gold foil figures found in pagan temple

19 September 2023

19 September 2023

Archaeologists have discovered a votive gold hoard during road development works in Vingrom, south of Lillehammer on the shores of...

New research reveals that Baltic amber was transported to the most westerly region of the continent more than 5,000 years ago

21 October 2023

21 October 2023

A team of scientists has identified the oldest pieces of Baltic amber ever found on the Iberian Peninsula, revealing that...

Viennese Archaeologists Find LEGIO XIII GEMINA Bricks

1 February 2024

1 February 2024

The fourth oldest school in Vienna, the Kindermanngasse Elementary School, is being completely renovated. As part of the renovation of...

2000-year-old anchor discovered at the bottom of the North Sea

26 September 2022

26 September 2022

A possible Iron Age anchor made from wrought iron was found at the bottom of the southern North Sea during...

Builders of Massive 6000-year-old Menga Dolmen Likely Understood Geometry and other “Early Science” Concepts

25 August 2024

25 August 2024

Researchers say that a new analysis of the 6000-year-old stone Menga (also known as the Dolmen of Menga), supported by...