Avar-Age Polearms and Edged Weapons. Classification, Typology, Chronology and Technology

Polearms 149

5 Conclusions

Only 532 spearheads (80.85%) from the 658 listed in the catalogue were suit-

able for classification, the rest (19.15%) being only known from excavation

reports. A significant part of these classified spearheads (48.12%, 256 pieces)

belong to the group of reed-shaped (P.I) weapons which was the most popu-

lar shape during the Avar Age. The great number of lenticular spearheads is

perhaps somewhat surprising, comprising 35 per cent of all the spearheads

(188 pieces). The conical spearheads (P.II) are less frequent (51 examples,

9.59%) and the number of triangular spearheads (P.IV) is also low (29 exam-

ples, 5.45%).

The proportions of these main blade types vary over time shown by the

diagram below.

The Early phase is characterised by complete predominance of two blade

types (P.I: reed-shaped and P.III: lenticular), but the number of lenticular

spearheads prevails over that of the reed-shaped. The Middle phase witnessed

an abrupt decline in the overall number of spearheads, the majority of the few

known pieces being of reed-shaped (P.I). A characteristic feature of the period

is the rise in the number and proportion of conical spearheads (P.II). The Late

phase, however, is characterised by the predominance of reed-shaped blades

(P.I) and an increase in the number of conical spearheads (P.II). The number

of lenticular spearheads (P.III) is also significant in the Late phase.

DIAGRAM 2 Proportions of the major blade types of polearms.

P.I

P.II

P.III

P.IV