Polearms 143
is long, narrow, its cross section is quadrangular and twisted directly under
the blade. The length of the neck is 12.2 cm, the socket is short and narrow, its
length is 4.2 and its diameter is 1.1 cm.254 This weapon can surely be regarded
as a throwing weapon, its form and size being without analogy amongst Avar-
age weaponry.
Another form of javelin is the socketed, hooked ‘arrowhead’. These are
more likely true javelins based on their length, which is longer than 10 cm (fig.
55/2–3). All of the listed weapons belong to this group except for the above-
mentioned weapon from Valalíky. Similarly long arrowheads are usually asym-
metric with beard only on one side which would result in their aerodynamic
characteristics differing from those of arrowheads.
2 Ferrules
Ferrules are only known from Late Avar cemeteries, and were first identified
by Anton Točík in the cemetery of Štúrovo.255 This research was continued by
Martin Husár in his MA thesis on early medieval polearms in Slovakia.256
Ferruless are usually small in size and quite simple artefacts, with all of the
three known examples being made from an iron plate bent into conical shape
with an average length of just 6 cm (fig. 55/4–8). The significance of these arte-
facts, however, is great since their position in the burial can help to determine
the original length of the shaft which usually decayed in the burial. As a result
of these observations the length of the shaft of the spear from grave No. 38 was
originally 160 cm,257 while that of grave No. 154 was only 130 cm.258 There is
indication for the original shaft length of the spear from grave No. 258.259 This
information on shaft length suggests that these pieces were not originally used
as cavalry thrusting weapons, since the shafts of cavalry lances are usually lon-
ger (more than 2 m). It is important to note, that all three spearheads associ-
ated with ferrules were lenticular, their length was 30 cm, and thus could be
used as infantry weapons.
254 Husár 2014, 71–72.
255 Točík 1968b, 20–21.
256 Husár 2005. Husár 2008, 457–470.
257 Točík 1968b, 20–21. Taf. XX/20.
258 Točík 1968b, Taf. XXXIV/23.
259 Točík 1968b, Taf. LI/14.