Avar Cemetery Discovered Near Szeged During BYD Factory Construction in Hungary

Archaeologists have unearthed a complete Avar-period cemetery near Szeged, Hungary, during preliminary excavations for a new BYD auto factory. The large-scale preventative excavation was conducted by teams from the Hungarian National Museum and the Móra Ferenc Museum across the 300-hectare site.

The excavation, led by Kornél Sóskuti, began with preliminary documentation in February 2024 to assess the site's historical significance. The area, located between the Öthalom hills and Lake Fehér, has long been recognized for its rich history, with evidence of continuous habitation from prehistoric times through the Middle Ages.

Despite the site's location on a plain frequently flooded by the Tisza River, the excavation revealed 152 graves containing artifacts such as gold earrings and a Byzantine bell. Sóskuti estimates the cemetery dates back to the late 6th or early 7th century. Archaeological work and on-site monitoring are ongoing as construction progresses, documenting new discoveries.