What kind of professional possibilities exist in Hungary today for launching systematic archaeological explorations and satisfactorily concluding them?
MúzeumCafé 49.
Archaeologist Paula Zsidi, director of the Aquincum Museum, notes that in Hungary excavations which could be regarded as systematic began in the late 19th century. The aim was to learn about a site and to collect as many finds as possible. Now the situation is different. Excavations aimed at research, as opposed to those associated with investments, account for only a small ratio of field work. According to archaeologist GáborLassányi, president of the Hungarian Federation of Archaeologists, many people consider the past 25 years to be a golden age of Hungarian archaeology. However, the spectacular results of major, speedy projects with tight deadlines, involved compromises and cannot replace precise, basic archaeological work or research. Archaeologist ÁgnesRitoók, senior museologist at the National Museum, believes systematic exploration involves research in connection with an already known site. The aim is to find answers to questions arising from earlier results about the material and intellectual culture, and the history of a settlement. Here the single occurrences and the related examination, analysis and evaluation are not subject to strict deadline pressures. Archaeologist EmeseSzámadó, director of Komárom’sKlapkaGyörgy Museum, LászlóBorhy, archaeologist, academician and dean of ELTE’s Humanities Faculty, and DávidBartus, professor at ELTE’s Institute of Archaeological Science, refer to excavations undertaken by the museum and the institute at the Komárom/Szőny-Vásártér site, the location of the Roman town of Brigetio. The local authority has supported the work. Since 2014 the sum has come from the budget of the museum functioning now as a municipal institute.