FROM THE BOTTOM UP – A SMALL-SCALE COMMUNITY ARCHAEOLOGY PROJECT IN HUNGARY

Abstract

Abstract. Could public archaeology provide a common platform and amalgamate a fragmented local community? The Erdőbénye Community Archaeology Project aims to achive exactly that, bringing divergent social groups together under the egis of archaeology and local history. The programme is developed from the bottom-up, primarily to pique the interest of children, and – by engaging the younger generation - intends to reach adults as well. The project devised a series of experiential, participatory activities for a broad audience to explore the archaeological and cultural traditions of the Zemplén microregion and by this, to protect the fast disappearing archaeological heritage of NE Hungary.

After the regime change in 1989, the Borkombinát was dismantled and the reliable income it provided to local winemakers disappeared. Most of the family vineyards went bankrupt their land bough up by large wine companies. However, many of them are now owned by non-locals, city dwellers who do not get involved in the routine of village life. Even today, the main income of the local people of Erdőbénye derives from viticulture, agriculture and forestry, as do many small rural communities in the area. This situation prompted us - the descendants of Erdőbénye - to somehow find a common ground on which the two segments of the community could start a conversation. We are hoping that our enthusiasm for archaeology could provide suitable means to achieve this, using methodologies commonly known as community or public archaeology.