Archaeologists in Hungary Reveal Ancient Sarmatian Village and Coin of Roman Emperor Gallienus

Handmade pot. Credit: Greek Reporter Archive

Archaeologists successful Hungary person uncovered traces of an past Sarmatian colony during excavations adjacent Őrbottyán, a municipality successful Pest County, according to enactment published by Tragor Ignác Múzeum.

The excavation took spot betwixt precocious February and aboriginal March 2026. It was carried retired connected the borderline of the municipality during earthwork linked to a backstage improvement project. Museum specialists supervised the work, with assistance from unpaid Attila Szalay.

Pits constituent to a buried village

The tract revealed pits and different buried features that had remained hidden for astir 2,000 years. Researchers identified the remains arsenic portion of a precocious Sarmatian settlement.

The Sarmatians were groups of Iranian root known for their horse-riding traditions. They began moving into the Carpathian Basin successful the archetypal period A.D. Over time, they shaped the civilization of ample areas crossed the Great Hungarian Plain. The find astatine Őrbottyán adds different constituent to the representation of Sarmatian concern successful the region.

Finds amusement regular life

Archaeologists recovered respective circular pits with level bottoms. Some were cylindrical, portion others widened somewhat toward the base. These forms are already known from different Sarmatian sites. Researchers said the pits were akin successful signifier and size. That helped them nexus the features to the last signifier of Sarmatian civilization successful the area.

A astir 2,000-year-old Sarmatian colony has been recovered connected the outskirts of Őrbottyán successful Hungary.

Archaeologists recovered circular pits, pottery, carnal bones and a Roman metallic coin that helps day the tract to the precocious Sarmatian period. pic.twitter.com/49RNwZlNcc

— Tom Marvolo Riddle (@tom_riddle2025) May 18, 2026

The intent of the pits remains debated. The astir apt mentation is that they were archetypal utilized arsenic retention pits, perchance for nutrient oregon different goods. Later, immoderate whitethorn person been reused arsenic garbage pits. The capable wrong the pits contained galore animal bones and pottery fragments. These finds connection a look astatine regular beingness successful the settlement.

An intact cookware stands out

The pottery included handmade vessels and pieces made connected a accelerated wheel. This suggests that older trade traditions existed alongside much precocious techniques.

One of the astir important finds was a tiny handmade pot. It was discovered intact wrong 1 of the pits. Complete vessels are uncommon successful agrarian settlements, wherever pottery is usually recovered successful breached pieces.

Metal finds were limited, adjacent aft intensive metal-detector work. Still, 1 pit produced 2 important objects. One was an robust spearhead with a tubular socket. It was severely corroded but preserved successful its afloat length.

Roman coin helps day the site

The different large find was a metallic denarius from the reign of Roman Emperor Gallienus, who ruled from A.D. 253 to 268. The coin helps day the tract and supports its nexus to the precocious Sarmatian period.

Archaeologists besides recovered aboriginal remains from the property of the Árpád dynasty, which ruled Hungary from the precocious ninth period to the aboriginal 14th century. These included a ample ditch and traces of a imaginable dwelling with a hearth. The tract besides produced scattered prehistoric pottery. Researchers said much studies volition beryllium needed to place those findings.

Together, the discoveries marque Őrbottyán an important tract for knowing cardinal Hungary betwixt Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages.