The Writing on the Walls: Summer 2025 Conservation at Vésztő-Mágor, Hungary.”

Описание: The Blue Ridge Archaeology Guild (BRAG) hosted an informative presentation on 12 Nov 2025, titled “The Writing on the Walls: Summer 2025 Conservation at Vésztő-Mágor, Hungary.”   Dr. Danielle Riebe and Dr. Attila Gyucha (UGA), along with Dr. William Ridge (UNG) explore the latest archaeological conservation efforts at this remarkable prehistoric site. 

In 2021, Riebe, Gyucha, and Ridge, along with their colleagues from the US, Germany, the UK, and Norway, started a joint project, the Vésztő-Mágor Conservation and Exhibition Program (VMCEP). The project focuses on the conservation and preservation of an excavation trench at the largest prehistoric tell site (i.e., settlement mound) on the Great Hungarian Plain. Exposed in 1986, the excavation trench was covered with a permanent structure and turned into an exhibition that is the heart of the Vésztő-Mágor National Historical Park.

Over the past four decades, sections of the trench have become unstable prompting urgent archaeological and conservation efforts. The assembled international team has developed and implemented a plan that relies on a unique combination of archaeological research, stabilization and conservation, environmental data collection, exhibition, as well as student training in conservation and archaeological fieldwork. This presentation will highlight results from the 2025 season and explain the next steps in the multi-year project.

Since 2020, Riebe and Gyucha have held assistant professor positions at the University of Georgia. Ridge joined the fun in Georgia in 2024 and has been a lecturer at the University of North Georgia (Oconee and Gainesville). All three researchers have offered students at UGA and UNG new local and international archaeological field opportunities, including participation in the VMCEP, and look forward to continuing to do so in the future.

Hosted by the Blue Ridge Archaeology Guild in partnership with the UNG Anthropology Student Club, these gatherings take place on the second Wednesday of each month at 7 PM in Room 272 of UNG’s Cottrell Center.

Discover how archaeologists are preserving one of Hungary’s most significant prehistoric sites. Whether you are a student, enthusiast, or simply curious about archaeology and anthropology, all meetings are free and open to the public. Come join us!