Southern Hungary Research Articles

Baranja u vreme novosadske Velike narodne skupštine i stvaranja jugoslovenske države 1918. godine

This paper covers a brief but dynamic period in the history of Baranja, at the time of creation of the first Yugoslav state. When it comes to the area of southern Hungary (Banat, Backa, Baranja), the crucial events took place in the Grand National Assembly on November 25, 1918, when the decision was made to separate these territories from the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy and to incorporate them into the Kingdom of Serbia, i.e. the future Yugoslav state. The aim of the paper is to synthesize and explain the processes and the events that occurred in Baranja immediately before and during the Grand National Assembly in Novi Sad until the First December Declaration when the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenians was established. In this research, archival materials, contemporary newspapers and publications and relevant historiographic literature were used in order to analyze the historical period as accurately and comprehensively as possible.

Pronouns in Theological Scientific Works in English and Serbian Languages

Since the Byblos “pseudohieroglyphic” signs are graphically almost identical with the Vinča (Danube/Old European) pre-script (which originally appeared in the central Balkans, then spread to the Danube valley, southern Hungary, Macedonia, Transylvania, and northern Greece, and has also been recorded in distant countries such as the Ukraine, Spain and Portugal), the author applies his knowledge in deciphering this pre-script in order to read more than fifty lines of the Byblos signs. Thus, at least some of the Byblos “pseudohieroglyphs” appear to constitute a restricted system of mythographic “eidograms” (halfway between pictograms and ideograms) used for the invocation of goddesses throughout the Old World, rather than a syllabary, as erroneously believed by George Mendenhall, Brian Colless, Jan Best, Fred Woudhuizen and others, or an alphabet (Malachi Martin).

Investigation of thysanoptera populations in Hungarian greenhouses

Abstract Studies were performed on sweet pepper and on weeds in their surroundings from 2005 to 2007 in the Jászság region, on different vegetables and ornamentals from 2015 to 2016 throughout Hungary, and on some indoor ornamental plants in Budapest and Kecskemét in 2017. These studies were carried out in greenhouses. The main objectives of this work was to clarify the consistency of Thysanoptera populations in these greenhouses and, secondly, as part of the official monitoring of Thrips palmi Karny and Thrips setosus Moulton, the study also focused on the first appearance of these pests in Hungary. An important additional aim was to determine which reservoirs were significant in the risk of Thysanoptera species transmitting tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV). Regarding the surveys conducted, the most frequent Thysanoptera species present in large numbers during the investigation period in every greenhouse was Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande. Also, a significant amount of Echinothrips americanus Morgan was found on ornamentals in southern Hungary, whereas on indoor ornamental plants only Hercinothrips femoralis O. M. Reuter was found.

Petroleum system of Miocene troughs of the Pannonian Basin in southern Hungary, based on 3D basin modeling

The role of the Middle-Upper Miocene source rocks in the Late Neogene petroleum system of the Pannonian Basin is undoubtedly significant, but it is not entirely understood. Only a few general publications exist that describe these sediments and their importance. We have focused on understanding the Neogene tectono-stratigraphic development and petroleum systems of these relatively small syn-rift grabens in southern Hungary. We have developed a workflow for organic geochemical, seismic, and facies interpretation; basin subsidence; and 3D basin modeling to better understand the Miocene-Pliocene-age petroleum system in a [Formula: see text] study area. This area fully covers two small-scale (less than [Formula: see text] size each) troughs filled by syn-rift and postrift deposits in large thickness with significantly different structural histories. During our investigation, six source rock beds were identified and built into the model. Thousands of meters of Lower Miocene, (Karpatian age) sediment accumulated in a “pull-apart,” but later structurally inverted Kiskunhalas Trough in the south, where four moderate- to good-quality (2 wt% estimated original total organic carbon [TOC], 200 HI), dominantly gas-prone, immature to wet gas mature source rock beds were identified. In the overlying Middle Miocene (Badenian age) sediments, generally good quality (2 wt% estimated original [TOC], 300–500 HI, type II and II-S), oil-prone, dominantly oil mature source bed was identified. This layer, as the regional Miocene source rock, is mainly responsible for the known hydrocarbon (HC) accumulations. The 3D basin and petroleum system modeling helped us understand the HC migration into the already-discovered fields as well as identify possible future exploration objects.

Middle Bronze Age humidity and temperature variations, and societal changes in East-Central Europe

Archaeological evidence points to substantial changes in Bronze Age societies in the European-Mediterranean region. Isotope geochemical proxies have been compiled to provide independent ancillary data to improve the paleoenvironmental history for the period of interest and support the interpretation of the archaeological observations. In addition to published compositions, in this study we gathered new H isotope data from fluid inclusion hosted water from a stalagmite of the Trió Cave, Southern Hungary, and compared the H isotope data with existing stable isotope and trace element compositions reported for the stalagmite. Additionally, animal bones and freshwater bivalve shells (Unio sp.) were collected from Bronze Age archaeological excavations around Lake Balaton and their stable C and O isotope compositions were measured in order to investigate climate changes and lake evolution processes during this period. The data indicate warm and humid conditions with elevated summer precipitation around 3.7 cal ka BP (Before Present, where present is 1950 CE), followed by a short-term deterioration in environmental conditions at about 3.5 cal ka BP. The environment became humid and cold with winter precipitation dominance around 3.5 to 3.4 cal ka BP, then gradually changed to drier conditions at ∼3.2 cal ka BP. Significant cultural changes have been inferred for this period on the basis of observations during archaeological excavations. The most straightforward consequences of environmental variations have been found in changes of settlement structure. The paleoclimatological picture is well in line with other East-Central European climate records, indicating that the climate fluctuations took place on a regional scale.

A penultimate glacial climate record from southern Hungary

ABSTRACTA flowstone from the central European Abaliget Cave (Mecsek Mts, Hungary) provides a record of uninterrupted calcite deposition between ∼160 and ∼124 ka, covering most of Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 6 and part of 5e. δ18O values of three lateral drill cores show synchronous high‐frequency (millennial‐scale) variability during MIS 6, interpreted as stadials and interstadials, and a 3.4‰ rise at the MIS 6/5e boundary. The interstadials are mostly symmetrical in shape and show consistently lower δ18O values than calcite formed during MIS 5e. The rises (decreases) in δ18O are followed by drops (increases) in δ13C with a delay of 1–2 ka, implying enhanced (reduced) soil bioproductivity. This period of highly variable climate is bracketed by two broad δ18O minima. The first minimum between ∼160 and ∼148 ka coincided with a maximum in ice‐rafted detritus in the eastern North Atlantic. The second one from ∼134 to ∼129 ka occurred during Heinrich 11, before the rapid and large δ18O increase at ∼128 ka.

Microtus (Microtus) nivaloides from the Somssich Hill 2 site (southern Hungary): An Early Pleistocene forerunner of modern ‘true’ Microtus voles revealed by morphometric analyses

Voles are among the most common and abundant rodents in Central Europe, represented by several species of Microtus and other genera. This group is also common in Pleistocene fossil assemblages. However, the taxonomy of fossil finds, largely based on lower first molars, is fraught with problems and opinions of various authors often diverge, hampering phylogenetic inferences and reconstruction of lineages which led to the extant species. To help solve taxonomic incongruence, we carried out morphometric analyses on the abundant late Early Pleistocene finds from the exceptionally rich site of Somssich Hill 2 (Villány Mts., southern Hungary), complemented with less numerous but also well-dated and nearly coeval material from nearby sites Villány 6 and 8, as well as Kövesvárad from northern Hungary. Landmark analysis was performed in the present paper, and in addition, cluster and discriminant analyses were applied on the conventional linear data derived from the landmark coordinates. First lower molars of well-established recent taxa from zoological museum collections were also included in the analyses, both to assess their degree in intraspecific morphological variability to inform delineation of the extinct taxa, and to compare morphologies of fossil and recent taxa to establish phylogenetic relationships. Morphometric analyses revealed that the material from Somssich Hill 2 represents a single species, Microtus nivaloides, whereas specimens from the somewhat younger site Villány 8 belong to M. nivalinus. Paleoecology of the accompanying taxa in the fossil assemblages suggests differences in their habitat: M. nivalinus preferred more open vegetation, whereas M. nivaloides was restricted to forested areas. Geometric morphometric analyses together with modern taxa defined a morphospace where the consensus shape of M. nivaloides is centrally located, supporting the hypothesis that it represents the ancestor of modern Microtus (Microtus) species and forms part of a lineage which led to the M. arvalis-agrestis group. On the other hand, morphological similarities suggest a split lineage and phylogenetic relations of late Early Pleistocene M. nivalinus and the recent M. oeconomus. The emergence of ‘true’ Microtus species stems from the radiation initiated around 1.0–0.9 Ma, an important phase in vole evolution revealed by the rich finds from Somssich Hill 2 and other sites.

Dating the Holocene Incision of the Danube in Southern Hungary

AbstractThe alluvial development of the Great Hungarian Plain has greatly been determined by the subsidence of different areas in the Pannonian Basin. The temporal variation of subsidence rates significantly contributed to the avulsion and shifting of main rivers. This was the case in terms of the Hungarian Lower Danube when occupying its present day N-S directional course. The considerable role of tectonic forcing is also supported by the presence of different floodplain levels. Although, several channel forms are identifiable on these the timing of floodplain development has been reconstructed up till now mostly by the means of geomorphological analysis, and hardly any numerical dates were available. The main aim of this study is to provide the first OSL dates for palaeo-channels located on the high floodplain surface of the Hungarian Lower Danube, and to determine the maximum age of low and high floodplain separation on the Kalocsa Plain. For the analysis two meanders were sampled close to the edge of the step slope between the two levels. According to the results, the development of the investigated palaeo-meanders could be rapid. The formation of the older meander was dated to the Late Atlantic, while the possible separation of the high and low floodplain surfaces could start in the beginning of the Subboreal Phase.

Regeneration patterns in a pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) strict forest reserve in Southern Hungary

Nedovoljno uspješno prirodno pomlađivanje hrasta lužnjaka Quercus robur L. u poplavnim šumama velik je problem i za šumarsku proizvodnju, kao i za zaštitu prirode, jer dovodi do značajnih promjena u sastavu šuma. Pasivna zaštita poplavnih lužnjakovih šuma zatvorenog sklopa pokazala se neuspješnom ne samo s ekonomskog stajališta, nego i sa stajališta zaštite šuma. Najveća prepreka istraživanju prirodnog pomlađivanja lužnjakovih šuma je nedostatak strogih šumskih rezervata u kojima se očituju prirodni procesi. Naša istraživanja provedenasu u strogom rezervatu u južnoj Mađarskoj, a zapažanja o razvoju hrastovih šuma uključila su sve vrste drveća. Sadašnja struktura sastojine stare 120 godina, koja se spontano razvijala prethodnih 17 godina uzorkovana je prema Državnom Protokolu za Šumske Rezervate, a podaci su statistički analizirani pomoću metode osnovnih komponenti (PCA). Promjene strukture sastojina opisane su na temelju usporedbe sadašnjeg stanja i stanja koje je zabilježeno u fitocenološkim snimkama po Braun-Blanquet-u iz 1995-96. godine. Uz detaljne studije sastojine poplavne lužnjakove šume, predstavili smo i proces pomlađivanja šume zatvorenog sklopa s dominacijom lužnjaka te sastojine gloga Crataegus monogyna koja ima izgled šume u početnoj razvojnoj fazi. Naši rezultati dobijeni su na temelju analize pasivne zaštite šuma tijekom 17 godina, potvrdili su da zaštita šuma bez ikakvih intervencija pomaže ostvarivanju prirodnih procesa, ali ne i očuvanju lokalnih prirodnih vrijednosti, niti obnavljanju ekonomski vrijednih sastojina hrasta lužnjaka, a zaključci mogu biti korisni pri donošenju odluka vezanih za zaštitu prirode.

VRŠAČKO UTVRĐENjE – ZAMAK U SVETLU ARHEOLOŠKIH ISTRAŽIVANjA

Vršačko utvrđenje nalazi se na oko 400 metara nadmorske visine, na bregu Vršačkog gorja koji dominira banatskom ravnicom. Bedemi utvrđenja zahvataju neveliku zaravan i prilagođeni su konfiguraciji terena. U radu će biti reči o dosadašnjim arheološkim istraživanjima na bregu iznad Vršca, posebno o sistematskim arheološkim iskopavanjima u periodu od 1997. do 2001. godine. Istraživanjima su utvrđene dimenzije ove srednjovekovne fortifikacije kao i objekti unutar nje. Analizom otkrivenih delova arhitekture, kulturnih slojeva i pokretnih arheolških nalaza, kao i prema poznatim istorijskim podacima, moguće je da se preciznije odredi vreme nastanka i trajanja utvrđenja, njegova stradanja, rušenja, ali i da se ukaže na strukturalne elemente zbog kojih se Vršačko utvrđenje u novijoj literaturi svrstava u zamak.

Asoriculus and Neomys (Mammalia, Soricidae) remains from the late Early Pleistocene Somssich Hill 2 locality (Villány Hills, Southern Hungary)

Asoriculus and Neomys (Mammalia, Soricidae) remains from the late Early Pleistocene Somssich Hill 2 locality (Villány Hills, Southern Hungary)

Hungarosoma bokori Verhoeff, 1928 (Diplopoda: Chordeumatida): new insights into its taxonomy, systematics, molecular genetics, biogeography and ecology.

Hungarosoma bokori Verhoeff, 1928 is a millipede species which was originally classified solely on the basis of a female specimen. Subsequently, a long history of field searching for and surmising about the systematic position of this small, enigmatic species followed. In April 2013, 85 years after its first description, a series of nine specimens were sampled in the type locality, the Abaliget Cave, in southern Hungary. An adult male was collected for the first time, along with females and juveniles. Descriptions of the gonopods and the female vulvae, both important for considerations of the systematic position of the species, are presented for the first time. Revision and re-designation of the type material was made.The cryptic life of the species is connected with its activity in winter, and its known fragmented distribution corresponds with its presence in undisturbed microhabitats having a specific microclimate, often in the soil at cave entrances.Molecular methods showed a positive detection of the intracellular prokaryotic parasite Wolbachia in H. bokori, reflecting its highly probable parthenogenetic character in the main part of its known area of occurrence. This is the first demonstration of Wolbachia in a millipede.The legitimacy of the family Hungarosomatidae Ceuca, 1974, as a separate taxon was analysed using morphological and molecular approaches. Results of both methods confirmed the existence of a distinct phyletic line. DNA barcoding has shown its closest position to Attemsiidae Verhoeff, 1899, or Neoatractosomatidae Verhoeff, 1901. Based on records from Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia, the residual circum-pannonic distribution that the whole genus (family) probably represents is proposed.

Partial mummification and extraordinary context observed in perinate burials: a complex osteoarcheological study applying ICP-AES, μXRF, and macromorphological methods

Very small, green colored, partially mummified remains of a perinate individual were found buried in a ceramic pot with a copper coin in the Late Medieval cemetery of Nyarlőrinc-Hangar ut (“Nyarlőrinc 3. lelőhely”) in southern Hungary. The remains must date back to the second half of the nineteenth century AD. In this paper; we present data gathered in a series of multidisciplinary investigations targeted to the partially mummified remains (ind. no. 14426) and two other non-mummified perinates (ind. no. 10662 and no. 14336) possibly buried under similar circumstances in the cemetery. Besides standard macromorphological and stereomicroscopic examinations, we compared Cu concentrations in the remains using ICP-AES and mapped Cu concentration changes using μXRF. The partially mummified perinate showed the highest Cu concentrations, while the individual buried without a possible Cu source showed the lowest. Body parts in the closer proximity of the copper coins always showed higher concentration. The mummified individual showed 497 times higher Cu values than average, and even the perinate buried without copper coin measured higher than the otherwise normal Cu content of the soil. Extremely high Cu values may be related to the corrosion of the coins included in the burials. Mummification must have been facilitated by copper deriving from the coins. Uneven Cu concentrations and only partial mummification of one of the individuals refer to the importance of other environmental factors involved in a possible quasi-natural mummification process. However, the Nyarlőrinc perinate burial no. 14426 may be the first solely copper-driven mummification case ever reported, and hopefully, more cases are to appear in the future.

SRPSKI VELIKAŠI U POLITIČKIM I VOJNIM PREVIRANJIMA OKO IZBORA VLADISLAVA II ZA KRALJA UGARSKE

Od sredine šezdesetih godina XV veka, na teritoriju južne Ugarske počeli su prelaziti brojni srpski velikaši. Dobivši titule i posede, despot Vuk Grgurević, braća Jakšić, Miloš Belmužević a potom Đorđe i Jovan Branković verno su služili ugarskog kralja Matiju. Međutim, nakon njegove smrti, 6. aprila 1490. godine, postavilo se pitanje izbora novog kralja. Ugarska je bila podeljena na pet frakcija. Poput ostalih ugarskih plemića i Srbi sa prostora južne Ugarske će u narečenim događajima menjati strane i često se nalaziti u protivničkim taborima. Za vreme bitke kod Šarviza, bili su u trupama maloletnog Ivaniša kao i njegovog suparnika. Sremski Brankovići su najpre pristali uz sina pokojnog kralja, zatim su podržali Maksimilijana i naposletku, u proleće 1491. godine, Vladislava II. U danima posle smrti kralja Matije, velikaš Miloš Belmužević podržao je kralja Vladislava II i ostao mu je veran do kraja života. Pored brojnih izvora i literature, rad se u velikoj meri oslanja na kazivanje Antonija Bonfinija koji o narečenim događajima piše u poslednje tri knjige dela Rerum Ungaricarum Decades, tomus IV.

Identification of Hepatozoon erhardovae Krampitz, 1964 from bank voles (Myodes glareolus) and fleas in Southern Hungary.

In order to investigate the prevalence and life cycle of apicomplexan parasites, small mammals were live-trapped with modified Sherman traps in Southern Hungary between 2010 and 2012. Altogether, 528 rodents (Apodemus flavicollis Melchior, 1834, Apodemus agrarius Pallas, 1771, Myodes glareolus Schreber, 1780, Microtus agrestis Linnaeus, 1761, Mus musculus Linnaeus, 1758 and Micromys minutus Pallas, 1771) were collected and four shrews (Sorex spp.) were by-catched. Captured animals belonging to non-protected species were euthanized, and spleen samples were preserved for histological and molecular analyses. During the examination of spleen smears, Hepatozoon parasites were observed in eight out of 48 bank voles (M. glareolus). DNA was isolated from altogether 221 spleen samples, and 18S rDNA was amplified using two different PCR protocols. The eight bank vole samples were positive with PCR, but none of the other M. glareolus spleen samples or any of the tissue samples from other species were found to be infected. Sequenced amplicons were very similar to Hepatozoon spp. detected in M. glareolus in Spain and Poland. Ectoparasites were collected from the small mammal carcasses and from the vegetation. Hepatozoon DNA was not found in the 181 ticks removed from the small mammals or in the 162 ticks collected with flagging, but was detected in all three flea species (4/43 Megabothris turbidus Rothschild, 1909, 3/10 Ctenophthalmus assimilis Taschenberg, 1880 and 7/78 Ctenophthalmus agyrtes Heller, 1896). Based on gamont morphology, vertebrate and arthropod host species and DNA sequences, the parasites in our study can be identified as Hepatozoon erhardovae.

A heritage site development model: Jewish heritage product formation in south-central Europe

ABSTRACTModels referring to tourism product development are rather rare. This paper suggests a model of heritage tourism formation. The model is based on observations made and interviews conducted in three Balkan States and southern Hungary with respect to the formation of Jewish heritage products. Results indicate that the formation of the heritage product follows a structured line of development. This is presented in two phases, an initial phase concerning the development of major tangible products and a mature phase taking care of the addition of minor artifacts some of them of intangible nature. Each phase is composed of several steps, providing together a sort of protocol for heritage product formation. Although the suggested model does not fit all heritage sites, it appears to be applicable to several heritage products such as churches and shrines of other religious denominations, heritage of famous figures like writers, painters, musicians, and others, and sites of prominent events such as battles, films and the like.

Finding the tomb of Suleiman the Magnificent in Szigetvár, Hungary: historical, geophysical and archeological investigations

Exploration in search of the tomb of Sultan Suleiman I and the buildings around it in the vicinity of Szigetvar, Baranya county, southern Hungary, has been going on for some one hundred years and on a number of sites (on the banks of Almas stream, at St. Mary’s Church in Turbek). On the basis of newly discovered documents and map representations, the authors have carried out a reinterpretation of earlier known sources and have abstracted from these information appropriate for a renewed geographical identification of the site of the tomb. The results have been construed in a reconstructed end-17th-century landscape using geoinformation methods. Identification of the Ottoman settlement at Turbek, which can be associated with the construction of the Sultan’s turbe (tomb), was made possible through the collection of finds on the surface of the archaeological site at the Turbek vineyard, the increased intensity of finds and through geophysical examination. The little town was a unique settlement in occupied Hungary, standing between 1574 and 1692 as a symbol of the Islamic conquest of the region

River Dikes in Agricultural Landscapes: The Importance of Secondary Habitats in Maintaining Landscape-Scale Diversity

Lowland rivers and their floodplains have changed markedly over the last centuries. River dikes have become among the most extensive secondary habitats of former floodplains. Our main question was, what role do secondary habitats on river dikes play in harbouring plant species and maintaining plant diversity of lowland landscapes dominated by agricultural areas? We compared historical maps and current habitat maps to understand the effects of landscape changes on the vegetation pattern of the study region, in southern Hungary. Dikes and primary vegetation of the landscape were selected for intensive vegetation sampling. We compared the floristic similarity and the Shannon diversity of the vegetation types. We used ordinations to visualize relationships among the vegetation types and among dike vegetation and environmental variables. Our results indicated that profound changes have been brought about in the vegetation during the last 150 years, resulting in a transition from marshland to agricultural land. The species composition and pattern of dike vegetation strongly depended on their relative position to the river and their aspect. We conclude that dikes can harbour many vascular plants that are absent or rare in the surrounding habitats and therefore play a decisive role in maintaining plant diversity in agricultural landscapes.

7000 éves dél-magyarországi tuberkulózis esetek oszteológiai és molekuláris biológiai vizsgálata

This study derives from the macroscopic analysis of a Late Neolithic population from southern Hungary. Remains were recovered from a tell settlement at Hodmezővasarhely-Gorzsa from graves within the settlement as well as pits, ditches, houses and as stray finds. Pathological analysis of the 71 individuals revealed numerous cases of infections and non-specific stress indicators, metabolic diseases, and evidence of trauma and mechanical changes. Several cases showed potential signs of tuberculosis and further analyses were undertaken, including biomolecular studies. The five individuals were all very young adults and included a striking case of hypertrophic pulmonary osteopathy. The initial macroscopic diagnosis of these five cases was confirmed by lipid biomarker analyses, and three of them were corroborated by DNA analysis. At present, these 7000-year-old individuals are among the oldest palaeopathological and palaeomicrobiological cases of tuberculosis worldwide.

Tuberkulózis nyomai késő neolitikum - kora rézkori magyarországi emberi maradványokban (Alsónyék-Bátaszék, Dél-Magyarország)

Alsonyek-Bataszek in Southern Hungary is one of the largest late Neolithic settlements and cemeteries excavated in Central Europe. In total, 2,359 burials from the Late Neolithic – Early Copper Age Lengyel culture were found between 2006 and 2009. Anthropological investigations previously carried out on individuals from this site revealed an interesting paleopathological case of tuberculosis in the form of Pott’s disease dated to the early 5th millennium BC. In this study, selected specimens from this osteoarcheological series were subjected to paleomicrobiological analysis to establish the presence of MTBC bacteria. As all individuals showing clear osteological signs of TB infection belonged to a single grave group, 38 individuals from this grave group were analysed. The sample included the case of Pott’s disease as well as individuals both with and without osseous TB manifestations. The presence of TB DNA in the individual with Pott’s disease was established, confirming the occurrence of TB in Neolithic populations of Europe. Moreover, our molecular analysis indicated that several other individuals of the same grave group were also infected with TB, opening the possibility for further analyses of this unique Neolithic skeletal series.