The Bioarchaeological Excavation and Analysis of the St. Nicholas Hungarian-Szekler Cemetery in Székelyudvarhely, Transylvania.

Type of Abstract (select): Individual Presentation

Abstract (max. 250 words):
The Szekler’s are a Hungarian speaking autonomous group, residing in Szeklerland, the eastern most extent of the Carpathian Basin in modern day Transylvania, Romania. The Szekler’s have occupied this area since at least 1050AD, being given special noble, non-taxed treatment from the Hungarian empire. Known as the frontier guard, the Szeklers were tasked with protecting the eastern most extent of the Hungarian empire. The following presentation outlines an ongoing excavation of an urban Szekler cemetery site located in the city centre of Székelyudvarhely, a major medieval Hungarian political seat. A multifocal approach pairing archaeological and biological anthropological methodologies seeks to
interpret and understand the Szeklers, who they are and how they lived. The St. Nicholas project is part of a larger collection of bioarchaeological projects in Székelyudvarhely which have been ongoing for over a decade. This project along with the support of the decedent community and other international collaborators has unearthed the remains of a medieval
church (circa 15 th century) and the remains of 61 individuals to date exhibiting a range of burial practices with the presence of unique artefacts. The goal of this project is to form a better understanding of the lived experiences of Szekler people, re-centring this population in Transylvanian archaeology. Giving Szekler archaeology greater academic representation, promoting their historical importance and using these projects as an avenue to train the next generation of archaeological and anthropological researchers.


Brief Professional Bio (max. 100 words):
Carlos Da Silva Carvalho is PhD student at Ohio State University, Columbus, OH. His current research interests focus on Szekler archaeology and the use of activity- based changes to skeletal anatomy in order to investigate specialized activities in the past. He currently directs the site excavations of the St. Nicholas church in Székelyudvarhely, Transylvania.