Saving the past for the future: Archaeological Conservation and Exhibition Efforts at the Tell Site of Vésztő-Mágor

Tells are exceptional archaeological settings, valuable not only for examining prehistoric developments but also for their potential to serve as centers of public engagement and education. However, methodological guidelines for how to preserve and present excavated trenches to the public currently are underdeveloped, particularly regarding tell sites. This paper provides the first comprehensive overview of the Vésztő-Mágor Conservation and Exhibition Program, an international collaborative initiative dedicated to preserving and presenting one of Europe’s most unique archaeological features, an in situ excavation trench at the tell site of Vésztő-Mágor in southeastern Hungary. By exploring conservation and exhibition strategies for the trench at Vésztő-Mágor, the Program aims to develop a scientifically sound methodological model and set a precedent for similar preservation and engagement initiatives at other tell sites.