Sensational find: Hungarian archaeologists find communion set and hidden medieval treasures – PHOTOS

Exceptional find: a silver communion set and a small fortune hidden in the ground have been unearthed in a research project by the National Archaeological Institute (Nemzeti Régészeti Intézet) near Lake Tisza.

Remains of a Benedictine abbey

Experts from the National Archaeological Institute of the Hungarian National Museum’s Centre for Public Collections carried out microregional research near Lake Tisza, the institute announced on its Facebook page. According to official information, the remains of a medieval Benedictine abbey were discovered in 2023.

This year’s excavation has also unearthed a silver communion set (chalice and wafer holder) dating back to the 14th century.

Moreover, a treasure trove of 70 silver coins of the Viennese fillér (small coins) has been unearthed in the region.

According to the institution, one of the pillars of the ten-year research plan of the National Archaeological Institute is to identify all the sites in the country within the framework of the Archaeological Topography Programme (Régészeti Topográfiai Program).

To this end, micro-regional pilot projects have been launched, one of which can also provide the basis for the development of tourism in the south-eastern region of Lake Tisza based on its historical and cultural heritage.

A silver communion set

In October 2023, several details of the remains of the former Benedictine abbey church in Tomajmonostora were revealed during a trial excavation.

This year’s excavation unearthed a special find: a communion set which was held in hand at the time of the burial. The ceremonial vessels, consisting of a silver chalice and a wafer holder, are estimated to date from the 13th to 14th centuries. They were placed in the hands of a deceased person. In all likelihood, it is part of a burial, but further excavation is needed to obtain the exact results.