Anthropologiai Közlemények

Biological anthropological analysis of the Avar Period skeletal finds from Hatvan-Sportpálya, Hungary

Tamás Szeniczey, Zoltán Tóth, Tamás Hajdu — cs, 18 dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study presents the anthropological and palaeopathological analysis of 54 individuals from the Avar Period cemetery at Hatvan-Sportpálya (Heves County, Hungary). The assemblage is dominated by adults (83.3%), while subadults are underrepresented, likely due to taphonomic and recovery biases. Metric and morphological data align with regional Avar populations, showing predominantly Western Eurasian ancestry with occasional East Asian–related traits. The observed pathological alterations are typical of archaeological populations, mainly reflecting mechanical stress and physically demanding lifestyles. Degenerative changes were frequent in load-bearing joints and the spine, consistent with habitual activity. Periosteal reactions were mostly healed, suggesting recovery from localized inflammation or trauma. Traumatic lesions were rare and predominantly represented by vertebral compression fractures likely linked to age-related bone fragility or osteoporosis; only one case of blunt-force trauma was recorded, which does not necessarily indicate interpersonal violence.

Az állkapocscsont fejlődési rendellenességeinek előfordulása a mohácsi III. tömegsír csontanyagában

cs, 18 dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The development of the mandible is a complex process influenced by different environmental and genetic factors. These factors can cause changes in the morphology of the mandible, manifesting in anatomical variations and developmental anomalies. These alterations can be diagnosed during the examination of osteological materials. Our research focused on these characteristics in the human bone material of the mass grave III of the Mohács National Memorial Park. The aim of this study was to start standardizing the terminology and to contribute to future studies by expanding the database on mandibular developmental anomalies and anatomical variations. We used macromorphological methods during our investigation. Because of the preservation status of the material, we could examine 267 mandibles. Several minor lesions were observed, for example, a bifid foramen mentale and hyperplasia of the coronoid process. We also observed rarer variations, like trifid foramen mentale and the absence of the same foramen.

Az ugor paradigma

Endre Németh, Tibor Fehér — cs, 18 dec 2025 09:00:33 +0000

The subject of the present study is the subclades of N-B539 Y-DNA haplogroup. The N-B539 haplogroup is closely connected to the history of Ugric-speaking peoples. So far, three major subclades within N-B539 have been identified, but in recent years, two additional subclades have been discovered. These two subclades enrich our knowledge with important details. Based on the new genetic results, three novel conclusions can be drawn: (1) the Ugric homeland is likely located around Omsk; (2) Ugric-era and early Hungarian communities were characterized by unparalleled cohesion; (3) the paternal line considered the ancestor of the Ob-Ugrians separated around 1400 BCE and migrated north, while three pre-Hungarian branches remained together and likely in place.

Válogatott kézilabdázó játkosok endokrin státuszának vizsgálata

cs, 18 dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The changes of endocrine state of elite athletes have been mostly researched in regards of effects of strenuous training, the stress of competition, the risk of overtraining and the difference between sports. However, the baseline hormonal profile of athletes was not followed along from a young age to their adult careers. Since the selection into professional athletic institutions starts years before reaching adulthood, training influences both somatic and psychological developmental processes. A relatively novel non-invasive tool to easily follow young elite athletes’ progression on an endocrine level is the analysis of salivary biomarkers.

We set our research goal to mapping out the endocrine profile of elite athletes and compare their results to the available recommended salivary ELISA non-athlete references. In the Sport Sciences and Diagnostic Research Centre of the Hungarian Handball Federation (between 2023–2025), we analysed 507 elite handball player’s (aged 13–35 ys) salivary cortisol, testosterone, and in case of female players, 17-β-oestradiol levels.

The results of salivary resting hormone concentrations showed that adult male handball players had a high relative frequency of high testosterone levels, while female players had high prevalence of low oestradiol levels compared to non-athlete references. The cortisol concentrations showed different patterns in subadult and adult athletes, an increased level of cortisol in adult handball players was found. The detected salivary concentration in athletes and the analysis of age dependent patterns necessitates the creation of athlete-specific references and the extension of the non-athlete references into the younger, subadult age ranges.

Metabolic heat flux density (M) in the human biometeorological models: Can M be parameterized based on heart rate estimated by smart devices?

Ferenc Ács, Erzsébet Kristóf — cs, 18 dec 2025 09:23:22 +0000

In this study, we focus on the calculation methods of human metabolic heat flux density (M) and on the applications of these methods in human thermal load models. Special attention was paid to the method that calculates M based on the heart rate (HR). A new M – HR based formula is presented. The connection was determined by measuring the average movement speed (V) and heart rate at the same time and then calculating M from V. The average V was determined by using a stopwatch. The average HR value was measured by using the Applewatch smart watch. The M(V) relationships are taken from the literature. Two persons performed the measurements in Martonvásár (a town close to Budapest), Budapest and Szombathely: a younger woman and an older man. The main lesson of our research is that M – HR based parametrization is individual-specific, despite the fact that the M – HR relationship can be characterized by a general function, which initially increases exponentially and then enters a saturation phase. This type of research will be widespread, given that we are living in the age of smart tools.

Növekedési hormonnal kezelt gyermekek növekedési mintázatának vizsgálata

Dorina Annár — cs, 18 dec 2025 09:59:57 +0000

The main aims of the PhD work were to examine the biological and birth status of children treated with growth hormone, to develop national height-for-age growth charts, to analyse their growth patterns, and to identify the key factors influencing their growth trajectory. The data of 123 children with growth hormone deficiency (85 boys and 38 girls) and 45 children with Turner syndrome, who attended the endocrinology clinic at the North Buda St. John’s Centre Hospital, were retrospectively reviewed.

The analyses of the biological status of children treated with growth hormone revealed that, compared to other European nations, hormone treatment for children in Hungary was initiated later and after a more pronounced height deficiency. However, early hormone replacement was critical for achieving target height. Additionally, we presented previously unavailable data on the biological status of Hungarian girls with Turner syndrome, which are highly relevant to assessing treatment efficiency. In our examination of birth status, we were the first who applied the MDN-percentile matrix in children treated with growth hormone. This approach confirmed that the method is effective in identifying children who are likely to require growth hormone treatment in the future. Furthermore, the application of this method revealed that a significant proportion of children with growth hormone deficiency fell into the "PN-LWR category", which was associated with the highest rates of stillbirth and infant mortality. It is worth to explore whether a common underlying cause might be responsible, of which the impaired GH production is a milder outcome.

Using the Preece–Baines I model, we were the first to develop disease-specific height-for-age growth references for boys and girls with growth hormone deficiency, both nationally and internationally. Additionally, we were the first to create height-for-age growth references for GH-treated girls with Turner syndrome in Hungary. We were also the first to analyse growth trajectories among growth hormone-treated children by categorizing them by their growth rate. Furthermore, in our investigation of the factors influencing growth, the existing scientific literature was validated and extended by incorporating variables that had previously received little attention.

The results of our analyses may contribute to the early diagnosis of children requiring growth hormone treatment, allow for more precise monitoring of growth by using disease-specific growth references, assist in the planning of treatment protocols, and optimize treatment strategies, ultimately improving the long-term health outcomes and quality of life for these children.

Zalavár (Mosaburg) és környéke késő avar és Árpád-kor közötti népességváltozásainak történeti embertani vizsgálata

Sándor Évinger — cs, 18 dec 2025 14:55:32 +0000

Following the collapse of the Avar Khaganate in the early 9th century, Transdanubia first fell under the authority of the Frankish Empire, then in less than a century later the early Magyars conquered the territory. Mosaburg/Zalavár, founded near Kis-Balaton under Frankish rule, was a highly significant regional power centre during both the Carolingian Period and in a large part of the Árpádian Age.

Objectives were (1) to discover by analysing craniometric data how the rapid and radical changes in power, and the birth and history of Mosaburg centre affected the population history and structure in the Zalavár microregion between the Late Avar and Árpádian Age; (2) to provide a general anthropological profile of the 9th and 11th century inhabitants of the former power centre by examining the skeletal material of the Hadrianus Templom site, the largest local cemetery of the studied era.

The Carolingian and the 11th century population of the centre was Caucasoid based on their morphoscopic traits, but around 10% of the skulls in both periods also showed some traits typical for Mongoloids. The average stature in both groups markedly exceeded the contemporaneous mean of the Carpathian Basin. The demographic and skeletal trauma data of the 11th century community indicates that they had a peaceful way of life. In contrast with this, the 9th century males had a less favourable mortality rate than females as early as in the young adult age group, and many of them had weapon injuries, including perimortem ones. This suggests that soldiers were buried in the cemetery, too, and several of them died in battle(s) fought near Mosaburg against the early Magyars before the end of the Frankish rule.

The 9th and 11th century sample of the power centre share very similar craniometric features, thus most of their biological distance-based close analogies overlap. This cranial morphological complex was characteristic mainly in the western half of the Carpathian Basin, where, though presumably with a changing spatial distribution pattern over time, it was already present in the late Roman Period. Close parallels from outside the Carpathian Basin can be found in the ~9th–11th century Moravian and Vienna Basin, and in the Pontic steppe between the Late Sarmatian Period and the 13th century. The geographical roots (ancestors) of the series representing this cranial morphological complex in the Carpathian Basin may point to the Eastern-European steppe region.

The local population in the Mosaburg microregion showed significant biological continuity during the studied period. Postmarital residence in the Late Avar local social system was most probably patrilocal. Most of the inhabitants of the Carolingian Period Mosaburg and its surrounding villages arrived probably from within the region to the newly founded power centre. During the 10th century the appearance of new immigrants can be detected on the territory. However, they could not change the anthropological character of the local community. The common people of the Árpádian Age Zalavár centre possibly originated mainly from those nearby “indigenous” groups of the region that had been affected only temporarily and/or to a small degree by the migration events of the Carolingian Period and the 10th century.

The origin and composition of the “forgotten people”: Genetic analysis of the Sarmatian-period population of the Carpathian Basin

Oszkár Schütz — cs, 18 dec 2025 19:49:42 +0000

In summary, we show that the Carpathian Basin Sarmatians descended from Steppe Sarmatians originating in the Ural and Kazakhstan regions, with Romanian Sarmatians serving as a possible genetic bridge between the two groups. However, the steppe-derived ancestry observed in the Carpathian Basin appears significantly diluted, likely due to substantial local admixture or the migration of groups that were already genetically admixed prior to their arrival. We also identify two previously unknown migration waves during the Sarmatian era and a notable continuity of the Sarmatian population into the Hun Period, despite a smaller influx of Asian-origin individuals. Furthermore, we observed a substantial increase in the frequency of the characteristic Central Asian paternal haplogroup R1a-Z93 during the Sarmatian Period in the Carpathian Basin. This shift was not mirrored by a corresponding change in the distribution of maternal lineages, possibly pointing toward a male driven migration. These results shed new light on Sarmatian migrations and the genetic history of a key population neighbouring the Roman Empire.

A csontéletkor és méret-, illetve a morfológiai életkor közötti összefüggések vizsgálata

Katinka Erzsébet Utczás — cs, 18 dec 2025 20:21:18 +0000

Our study investigated the growth patterns, bone structure indicators, and changes in absolute and relative body components used to characterize the bone structure of average Hungarian children aged 7–18 years based on a cross-sectional sample (N: 1678). After exploring the age-related patterns of various lengths, widths, bone diameters, circumferences, and skinfolds, we analysed the relationships of the most commonly used methods for characterizing biological development, examining their correlations with chronological age and with each other.

According to the results of the Second National Growth Study, we found no statistical difference between the body dimensions of children measured almost 20 years ago and children examined in 2013–2014. However, similarly to a trend observed in several countries, a positive secular trend was observed also in our study raising the need for a Third National Growth Study. Among the bone structure indicators, percentile samples constructed from the BUA (broadband ultrasound attenuation) and SOS (speed of ultrasound) indicators determined with the DTU-one ultrasonic osteometer provide (unpublished so far) reference data in children aged 7–18.

By examining the relationship between biological ages and chronological age, we found that after the age of 14 in girls and after the age of 16 in boys, deceleration of developmental processes may influence the accuracy of the assessment of biological maturity. The strong correlations between bone age, morphological age, and somatic age allowed us to develop a regression model based only on body measures to estimate bone age. However, it must be noted that the applicability of methods based on growth and maturation is population specific and needs periodic modification.

The analysis of age-related patterns in body measurements and the relationships of biological ages characterizing biological development enabled us to develop bone age estimation equations based solely on anthropometric body dimensions, which can be quickly and reliably applied in screening tests in schools and paediatric clinics.

A magyar biológiai antropológusok kitüntetései

Gyula L. Farkas — p, 19 dec 2025 05:57:36 +0000

The names of Hungarian biological anthropologists who received scientific awards between 1962 and 2024 were collected.

Marcsik Antónia köszöntése

Ildikó Pap, Erika Molnár, György Pálfi, Tamás Hajdu — p, 19 dec 2025 06:38:46 +0000

Marcsik Antónia köszöntése

Susa Éva köszöntése

Ildikó Pap — p, 19 dec 2025 06:45:44 +0000

Susa Éva köszöntése

Farkas L. Gyula (1932–2025)

György Pálfi, Ildikó Pap, Erika Molnár, Tamás Hajdu, Zsolt Bereczki — p, 19 dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Pap Miklós (1942–2022)

Gyula L. Farkas — p, 19 dec 2025 07:01:44 +0000

Hírek

Zsolt Bereczki — p, 19 dec 2025 09:24:53 +0000