The research project

The research project elaborated by the Seuso Working Committee has as its primary aim the comprehensive and scientific treatment of the Seuso treasure by applying an interdisciplinary approach. The research includes the detailed documentation of the objects at a 21st-century technical standard, research of the location where they might have been manufactured and of their presumed find-spot, as well as their historical, social, iconographic and art historical interpretation. The multi-layered analysis in the context of the late Roman imperial period’s and of late Antiquity’s culture, art and society enables the examination of the treasure trove in an international context, as well as its comparison with similar treasure finds discovered in the territory of the Roman Empire. The research also includes treatment of the history of the treasure in modern times.

The Seuso Working Committee worked out a research programme, which began in 2014, to process the treasure scientifically. From the aspect of the research it is fundamental to fully document the currently known fifteen objects of the treasure in line with scientific viewpoints (sub-project 1), which simultaneously provides the basis for the research of sub-projects. Research aimed at identifying the find-spot of the treasure trove in Hungary continues to have great significance. It includes the archaeometric analysis of the deposits on the surface of the objects (sub-project 3) and the field diagnostical research conducted at the presumed find-spot (sub-projects 3 and 4). Comparative analysis with other late imperial silver vessels (sub-projects 2 and 7), the analysis of represen-tations and ornaments (sub-project 6), the examination of their contemporary historical and social context (sub-project 5), as well as working on the history of the treasure in modern times by forming the Seuso archive (sub-project 8) are all continuing. Archaeo-logical excavations performed within the research project contribute to revealing the social and archaeological context of the trea-sure (sub-project 4).