Hungarian connections unearthed in US skeleton collection: Researchers trace remains to 19th-century dealer

Researchers at the University of Michigan have been investigating the origins of skeletal remains in their academic collection, uncovering ties to Hungary in the process. This discovery opened the door for experts from the National Archaeological Institute of the Hungarian National Museum to join the project and study the life of a key Hungarian figure involved. The remains were originally sent to Germany in the early 1900s by József Lichtneckert, an antiques dealer from Székesfehérvár, according to a Facebook post from the Institute.

Tracing the origins of a collection

Researchers at the University of Michigan’s Department of Anthropology are making a concerted effort to trace the origins of the human remains in their collection, which are used for educational purposes. Their investigation revealed that several bones are linked to the work of Austrian anthropologist Felix von Luschan (1854–1924), who conducted research in Berlin around the turn of the 20th century.

A study of the Rudolf Virchow Collection in Berlin established a clear connection between these remains and the University of Michigan’s collection, and also pointed to a Hungarian connection. It was Hungarian antiques dealer and collector József Lichtneckert who sent the remains to Germany, a fact evidenced by his signature on one of the preserved documents.

The Hungarian dealer and archaeology

Lichtneckert’s work has drawn academic interest in Hungary in recent years, allowing researchers from the National Archaeological Institute of the Hungarian National Museum to join the American-led project. According to the Institute’s statement, Lichtneckert had a colourful yet tragic life. He showed a keen interest in historical objects from a young age, built a substantial collection, conducted independent excavations starting in the 1890s, and even published in archaeological journals.