Hoard of Bronze and Iron Objects Unearthed from Sieged Iron Age Village

This summer marked another milestone in an ongoing archaeological excavation in northwest Bükk, Hungary, where a team of specialists is excavating the remains of an ancient village atop the Verebce-bérc mountain. The archaeologists uncovered the charred remains of buildings that were burnt down during a violent attack that brought an abrupt end to the settlement, which was flourishing in the 6th and 7th centuries BC.

Additionally, a comprehensive metal detector survey of the surrounding area yielded a significant collection of metal objects: a treasure trove of over 60 bronze and iron objects, many of which appear to have been hastily buried during the siege in an effort to safeguard them from looting: this is an indication to how sudden and violent the attack likely was.

Left; Remains of a wooden building presumably burned during the attack. Right; The rubble of another building contained a mass of burned, imprinted pieces of plaster. (Institute of Archaeology of ELTE BTK)

An Iron Working Centre, A Site of Violent Siege

The collection consists largely of jewelry and horse harness components revealing connections to broader cultural trends in southeastern Europe, says a press release by the Institute of Archaeology of ELTE BTK (Eötvös Loránd University, Faculty of Humanities). In fact, there are loose similarities between the artifacts and those found in the Balkan region, highlighting the extensive trade networks and cultural exchanges that linked this village with distant communities during the Iron Age.

The village or perhaps hillfort at Dédestapolcsány-Verebce was violently destroyed by Scythian warriors, originating from the Pontic Steppe (modern-day Ukraine and Southern Russia). Evidence of this dramatic event has been uncovered through archaeological investigations, with hundreds of early Scythian bronze arrowheads found scattered throughout the site during other investigations.

In addition to the evidence of the attack, the hillfort site has yielded a wealth of material indicating that Dédestapolcsány-Verebce was a significant ironworking center: a high concentration of iron blooms, along with over 600 objects, suggest that the settlement played a key role in the production and processing of iron during the Iron Age.

Brain and Young Intellect: A Successful Research Project

Led by a group of university researchers with expertise in the Bronze and Iron Ages, the project has now reached its sixth year, with the current phase representing the third official excavation season. The team, comprised of students, professionals, and local volunteers, who’ve provided their inputs.

Several renowned archaeologists from across Europe have joined the team, including Bernhard Heeb, a highly regarded archaeologist from Berlin, whose focus on prehistoric metallurgy has been instrumental in analyzing the metal artifacts found at the site, and Martin Golec, a professor at the University of Olomouc, whose archaeological knowledge has been invaluable to the broader analysis of the site, reports LBV Magazine.

Central to the success of the excavation is the involvement of young researchers who bring fresh perspectives and energy to the project. One of the standout contributors is Mogyorós Péter, a PhD student who has played a key role in the research. Mogyorós began his academic journey in 2017 at Eötvös Loránd University, where he focused on prehistoric archaeology, with a particular interest in migration-era societies. Now working towards his doctorate, Mogyorós is also collaborating with the Budapest Historical Museum, where he contributes to both the fieldwork and the broader research agenda, reports Arkeonews.

The project has crucially served as a platform for training the next generation of archaeologists, offering students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the field, working under the guidance of seasoned professionals, learning excavation techniques, artifact preservation, and the methods of archaeological interpretation.

Top image: The bundle of Bronze and Iron objects retrieved at Bükk, Hungary.  Source: Institute of Archaeology of ELTE BTK

By Sahir Pandey

References
Altuntas, L. 2024. A 2700-year-old collection of more than 60 bronze and iron objects found in Bükk in north-western Hungary. Available at: https://arkeonews.net/a-2700-year-old-collection-of-more-than-60-bronze-and-iron-objects-found-in-bukk-in-north-western-hungary/.

Carvajal, G. 2024. A Treasure of Bronze and Iron Objects Hidden During the Attack That Destroyed a Prehistoric Village, Found in Hungary. Available at: https://www.labrujulaverde.com/en/2024/10/a-treasure-of-bronze-and-iron-objects-hidden-during-the-attack-that-destroyed-a-prehistoric-village-found-in-hungary/.

Milligan, M. 2024. Archaeologists uncover deposits of Iron Age objects at Dédestapolcsány-Verebce. Available at: https://www.heritagedaily.com/2024/10/archaeologists-uncover-deposits-of-iron-age-objects-at-dedestapolcsany-verebce/153559.