80 CHAPTER 2
socket are characteristic. The socket is open and bounded by a clasp. All 15
known examples belong to the first half of the Early phase, their distribution
following the line of the Danube, mostly in Eastern Transdanubia (map 5).
Recently, similar pieces have become known from Northeastern Bulgaria.32
Reed-shaped spearheads with connecting chap and closed socket (P.I.A/3.d)
represent a rare variant: only three examples are known from the Early Avar
period (fig. 18/2–3).33 These spearheads are simpler and less elaborated: the
connecting chap is mostly present as a smooth step and the grid pattern is
simply a graven line on the bottom of the socket. Examples of this variant can
be regarded as copies of the first two variants, thus can be dated slightly later.
1.1.2 Simple Reed-shaped Blades (P.I.B)
This blade type was the most common during the Avar Age. Most of the reed-
shaped spearheads (171 examples, 67.05 per cent of all reed-shaped blades)
belong to this group. The majority of such spearheads were used during the
Early phase (136 pieces, 79.53%), but the general shape—though in smaller
quantities—remained in use during the Middle (11 examples, 6.43%) and Late
phase (24 examples, 14.03%) as well.
1.1.2.1 The Simple Reed-shaped Blade is Longer than the Socket (P.I.B/1)
This variant is characterised by a long reed-shaped blade and a short (usually
closed) socket (map 6, fig. 22). Its broad shouldered sub-variant was known in
the first half of the 6th century in the Carpathian Basin from Lombard34 and
Gepidic35 burials, suggesting that the reed-shaped blade was already known
in this region before the arrival of the Avars. This chronology is verified by
Merovigian cemeteries and the seriation of Ursula Koch who dated these
spearheads to the 5th phase (530–555) of the south German Merovingian
chronology.36
This type from the Avar Age does not seem to be a closed group due to its
uneven chronological and geographical distribution (map 6). Altogether 42
32 Two such pieces are in a private collection in Varna. I only know these pieces thanks to
the generous help of Boyan Totev.
33 Budakalász–Dunapart grave No. 281; Csákberény–Orondpuszta grave No. 396 (IKM 11.341);
Zmajevac (Vörösmart) (Csallány 1956, 1064; Garam 1982b, 210. Abb. 15).
34 Szentendre Grave No. 49; Máza grave No. 2; Mannersdorf grave No. 2; Oblekovice and
Testona (Bóna 1978, 157–158).
35 Hódmezővásárhely–Solt–Palé grave No. 25; Szentes–Kökényzug grave No. 57; Szolnok–
Szanda grave No. 8 and 9; Moreşti grave No. 85 (Bóna 1978, 157–158).
36 Ursula Koch (2001, 62, 75) classified these spearheads as type Y10, characterised by their
great length (30–40 cm), long, narrow blade and closed socket.