82 CHAPTER 2
A considerable number of the Early examples were found in Transylvania,40
thus their distribution in the region can be explained by a continuous Gepid
population living there, since this type was well known from Gepid cemeter-
ies of the first half of the 6th century. This type is also present in the cem-
eteries of Budakalász41 and Szekszárd–Bogyiszlói út42 which can be related
to the Merovingian influences on these sites. Most of the early examples are
characterised by a closed socket except for the spearhead from grave No. 689
of Budakalász–Dunapart, the socket-wings of which were simply bent next to
each other. The average length of these early examples is 25 cm.
The spearheads of the Middle phase comprise a closed group: their shoulder
is rounded, their socket is closed and their average length is around 28–30 cm.
The type is attested at Devín’s Gate (the north west entrance of the Danube
to the Carpathian Basin, fig. 22)43 and in Transdanubia.44 The chronology of
these spearheads is based on the belt set made of silver foil and accompanying
sabre with elongated P-shaped suspension loop from the Iváncsa burial,45 and
the quadrangular belt-mounts with interlace ornaments46 and the strap-end
made of silver foil of geometric ornaments from the grave No. 124 of Devínska
Nová Ves. 47
The examples dated to the Late phase (8th century) can also be regarded as
a regional phenomena and not as a closed group. The socket of the spearhead
from grave No. 98/84 from Valalíky – Všechsvätých (fig. 22/3) was closed by a
ring with rectangular loop pulled over the socket,48 which is a regional char-
acteristic of the spearheads of the Košice basin. The socket of the Tiszafüred
example is also closed but without the other accompanying features.49
40 Aiud grave No. ‘III’ (Horedt 1956, 396; Horedt 1958, 92. fig. 10/2,5; Cosma et al. 2013, 59,
fig. 29.); Noşlac grave No. 6 (Rusu 1962, fig. 4/12); Târgu Mureş (Marosvásárhely) grave
No. ‘IX’ and ‘XIV’ (Kovács 1915, 284. 288, 46. kép, and 290–291. 293. 52. kép).
41 Budakalász–Dunapart grave No. 468, 689, 1158, 1225, 1483.
42 Szekszárd–Bogyiszlói út grave No. 350 (Rosner 1999, 48. Taf. 24/15).
43 Devinska Nová Ves grave No. 124 and 132 (Eisner 1952, 41–42. Obr. 28/4. and 44, Obr. 20/4).
44 Iváncsa–Szabadság utca 20. (Bóna 1970, 244. 8. kép 20); Lengyeltóti–Pusztaberény grave
No. 5 (Bárdos 1978b, 82. 86. 6. kép 2).
45 Bóna 1970, 243, 251. 8/5.
46 Bárdos 1978b, 82. 86. 6. kép 2.
47 Eisner 1952, 41–42, Obr. 28/4.
48 Husár 2005, 30. Tab. 1/4a–4b.
49 The spearhead of grave No. 638 of Tiszafüred is dated by rectangular belt-mounts cast of
copper alloy ornamented by a griffon (Garam 1995, 82. 232).