Szekessy Vilmos (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 53. (Budapest 1961)
Nemeskéri, J.: Fifteen years of the Anthropological Department of the Hungarian Natural History Museum (1945-1960)
criteria. Starting from the external and internal structural changes, due to age, of the skeleton, we worked out the method mentioned above, which afforded results with considerably smaller limits of error than any previous one. In determining sex, the majority of the authors had recourse to also a mechanical process. By taking into attention morphological and physiological features, the task was to determine the value of sexualization which, in its numerical value, gives the determination, and also the rate of, sex. The third, general methodological idea is the introduction of the concept of representation which, from the archeological excavation to all anthropological data, — and in qualitative and quantitative respects, — renders information on the validity of the anthropological evaluation of the given samples or population. Based on the results of general and methodological studies, historical anthropological investigations of a new aspect were duly introduced. By vital-statistical, paleodemographical, and paleopathological studies, we endeavoured, first of all, to determine the structural characteristics of the samples. Results obtained in this way served for the starting point of the historico-anthropological analysis, in which we strove to evaluate anthropological characteristics, not statically, but emphatically in their changes. Mainly these concepts guided our paleodemographical and, in the last few years, our taxonomical investigations, as well as the ethnogenetical evaluations. The expansion of research work included also our large-scale investigations, made in close cooperation with university institutions, on body growth and development ; further ethnic-anthropological studies, and the examinations of twins in the scope of the human-genetic researches. In the last years, the Department inserted in its program the study of mainly theoretical problems in a human —paleontological respect, and thus it may safely be stated that we succeeded to evolve a uniform research project embracing the whole field of physical anthropology. The research program and work of the Anthropological Department were characterized by individualistic researches in the past, and planned ones in the present. We are aware of the fact that we still have much to amend in our concepts and to validate further the dialectical points of view, but we may notwithstanding assert that the Department had taken the initial steps in both collecting and elaboration, as regards the "anthropology of to-day". Finally, we have to say a few words on our cultural missions, too, closely related to our museological tasks. The Department took its part in presenting anthropological materials in the archeological and natural history exhibitions of 25 museums in the country, in the years 1945—1960. In 1955, we opened, in the main building of the Hungarian National Museum, our modern exhibition, "The Evolution of Man", preparing also special and partial displays, according to archeological periods, in the great Archeological Exhibition of the Historical Museum. The research workers of the Department did their utmost, with respect to their numbers, in publishing popular reviews and delivering educational lectures, both on anthropological subjects. The Anthropological Department of the Hungarian Natural History Museum evolved into the center of anthropological researches in Hungary during the last fifteen years. The assessment of the experiences and results gained in the last 15 years reflect truly all failures and every succès, by which we may safely continue on the solution of the tasks of the future.
