Tétel Hill 2
Castrum Tetel ante portas – Research continues
MúzeumCafé 10.
In 2005 investigation of the archaeological, geological and historical sources of the 2471-acre area began with the presumption that traces might be found of the 9th-century Hungarian conquest and the foundation of the Hungarian state. In 2006-07, during excavations undertaken with experts of the Katona József Museum in Kecskemét, the remains of a Middle Bronze Age settlement, a Late Bronze Age fortification, an 11-12th century cemetery, an Árpád age settlement and a Gothic church were uncovered. In 2008 further explorations were conducted and scientific research undertaken. Staff and students of the Department of Physical Geography at Eötvös Lóránd University made geological drillings, a PhD student of the Department of Geology and Palaeontology at Szeged University explored phytoliths for paleao-flora reconstruction, and employees of Fractal Co. did geophysical research. GIS was helped by aerial photographs provided by the Archaeological Institute of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Civertan Co. utilising a traditional (aeroplane) method on three occasions and with a remote-control helicopter twice. Before the excavation bronze horse tackle with a rosette ornament from the south-western edge of the hill was acquired, which can be connected to the age of the Hungarian conquest. The date of origin and social rank correspond to the findings of a wealthy woman’s grave found on Tétel Hill in 1907. Two working sites were marked out during the 5-week summer season. The several times renewed defence structure was revealed by cutting through the rampart and moat of the prehistoric fortification.