Ruins Uncovered: Identifying the Benedictine Abbey at Tomajmonostora
The National Archaeological Institute of the Hungarian National Museum has recently uncovered the ruins of a former Benedictine abbey at Tomajmonostora. The excavation work revealed stone and brick fragments, as well as small pieces scattered around the site. Geophysical measurements conducted last year confirmed the presence of a church building on a prominent outcrop at the border of present-day Tomajmonostora.
The hill where the ruins were found was once the site of the monastery that gave the settlement its name, believed to be founded by the Tomaj tribe in the 12th century. Although the first mention of the Tomaj monastery dates back to 1340, it is believed to have existed for several centuries prior.
According to Gábor Virágos, the head of the museum’s National Archaeological Institute, the geophysical measurements revealed the shape of a three-nave church with a large nave similar to the church in Lébény, and a rotunda in the northwestern part of the building. However, only the foundations of the rotunda have been identified so far.
The excavation work has revealed that most of the building material of the church has been excavated and the trenches filled with building rubble. However, there are some areas with very solid masonry remains. In addition to the brick and stone fragments, a significant number of scattered human bones have been recovered, indicating that the site has been extensively disturbed in the past.
While unattached burials have been found in the area, including within sixty meters of the church, the research has not yet determined the location of the former settlement or the boundaries of the cemetery on the hill. The lack of visible grave markers makes this task challenging, and further excavation work will be needed to uncover any buried bones.
The discovery of the ruins of the Benedictine abbey at Tomajmonostora provides valuable insights into the history and archaeology of the region. Further research and excavation work will help uncover more details about this ancient site and its significance in Hungarian history.
Sources:
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– Article: https://hungarytoday.hu/ruins-of-benedictine-abbey-identified-at-tomajmonostora-also-known-as-cannon-monostor/
