Geophysical Survey of the Early Medieval Centre of Mosapurc/Zalavar

One of the most attractive themes in archaeological research is the excavation of central places. These include early medieval centres which mirror the political and socio-economic relationships, reflecting the changes of their time. Zalavar-Varsziget is undoubtedly one of the most important fortified sites in Central Europe in the Early Middle Ages. Its short-lived existence from the 840s to the beginning of the 10th c. perfectly illustrates the rise and fall of Carolingian power in Pannonia. It was a place where important people of that time, including Pribina, Kocel, Methodius, and Arnulf, lived and worked. Its repeated occurrence in written historical sources also points to its significance. In these sources, it appears under various names, but especially as Mosaburg. Systematic archaeological excavation of the site has been conducted for approximately 70 years. Within the last decade, geophysical surveys followed field research. By comparing previous knowledge and new results from the geophysical prospection, we were able to, with the help of statistics and spatial analyses, evaluate the similarities and differences between the central area and its surroundings, identifying the basic characteristics of the individual parts of the site.