Matskási István (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 94. (Budapest 2002)

Matskási, I.: Bicentenary of the Hungarian Natural History Museum

Department and, to some extent, to the traditions, above all faunistic and taxonomic research is conducted at the Department. The lack of a zoological institute, or animal ecology institute in Hungary imposes additional research tasks on the Department of Zoology, as the biggest Hungarian zoological institution. We have published, and are publishing, the results of research of national parks. It was our researchers' staff that, often with international support, have converted the regions thus examined into some of the admittedly best-explored, and most thoroughly investigated geographical locations. Partly the extended scope of expeditions we have made mention of earlier, partly identifications performed on the request of foreign museums have enabled us to have a share in exploring the animal world of other countries and continents (e.g. Eastern Asia, Africa, South America). However surprising it may sound, it is true that if it were not for several hundreds of proceedings the Department's 17 expeditions resulted in, or the material we preserve, it would be inconceivable to characterise Korea in zoological terms today. Taxonomic research activities involve an organic part of faunistic work because the description of the animal world of a specific region is, most of the time, closely related to the taxonomic analysis of bigger and smaller groups. With more than 170 volumes out so far, research projects of this kind lead to launching the series of identification handbooks Magyarország Állatvilága (Fauna Hungáriáé) in 1955. Animal ecology has always been researched at the Department of Zoology but the past few years have witnessed a hitherto unprecedented scale, as demands for domestic ecological research have increased (primarily generated by the protection of environment and nature). The subjects of research are very diverse, which is further coloured by the broad range of animal groups undergoing analyses. We study the ecological problems of various animals (above all birds, soil-dwelling beetles and Orthoptera) the impact of habitat borders and cultivation methods, and the issues of environmental ecology relating to certain endangered species. Department of Anthropology Built in the year 1847, the Hungarian National Museum already contained anthropological material, since 'the skull of a hero, presumably that of Vitéz BENE, who had his share in the glorious protection of Emperor BERENGAR I by Prince SOLT's side, in Italy of the early 10th century' found its way to the museum from MIKLÓS JANKOVICH'S collection. The skull was explored at the village of Ladánybene, a place not far from Benepuszta.