M. Járó - L. Költő szerk.: Archaeometrical research in Hungary (Budapest, 1988)
Prospecting - BENE János, PATTANTYUS- Á. Miklós: Exploration of hidden silver treasures by means of geophysics
BENE János*; PA TTANTYUS-Á. Miklós* * EXPLORATION OF HIDDEN SILVER TREASURES BY MEANS OF GEOPHYSICS Abstract - In 1986, as the result of integrated research valuable national treasures were found in Austria, near the town of Linz. The silver treasures hidden in 1944 were found in a rather short time after data collecting work of several years and as the result of a joint effort of different specialists. Geophysical research also contributed to this success. History of the treasures In 1944, due to the nearness of the front line, the government commissioner of Szabolcs county responsible for evacuation ordered the evacuation of Nyíregyháza and the transportation of whatever valuables there were to the West. The order also applied to the fire brigade, and drivers left the town on 20th October with the fire engines, headed by the fire-chief and the mayor. With them they took the valuables of the voluntary fire brigade established in 1884, packed in a wooden chest: the contents included the flag consecrated in 1894, the various competition prizes, the relics of the first chief of the brigade and the gifts of individuals and corporations given to the firemen. At the beginning of this centruy the firemen of Nyíregyháza had a very good reputation, and due to their enthusiastic, disciplined and quick work, they won prizes at several national and international competitions, such as some silver cups and a statue of St. Florian at the national competition in 1896 and in 1905, - gold and a silver medal as well as a bronze plaquette in Milan in 1906. Evacuation meant a long journey full of vicissitudes arter which the firemen arrived at the village of Berg near the Austrian town of Linz in the spring of 1945, where the refugees were quartered in barracks built on the outskirts of the village. Before returninr home in the autumn of 1945 the firemen - who had been livingin complete uncertainty - decided to hide the valuable objects. This is how the chest containing the treasures got into the bottom of a refuse pit of the camp. The whereabouts of the treasures aroused speculation in 1984, when the fire brigade was preparing for its centenary. Several descriptions and sketches of the site could be gathered by painstaking data collecting work, and with the help of some old firemen Although these sketches were sometimes contradictory, they were suitable for identifying the site of the camp. Actual identification took place in the summer of 1984. The real research work could be started on the basis of the site plans and the surface examination of the area only in 1986, after obtaining the appropriate permissions. Possibility of detecting the treasures geophysically Small depth electromagnetic prospecting is the most suitable geophysical method for detecting buried metal objects. Such equipment, however, was not available at the * Jósa András Museum H-4400 Nyíregyháza, P.O.B. 57. * Eötvös Loránd Geophysical Institute of Hungary H-1440 Budapest, P.O.B. 35.
