156 CHAPTER 3
although only two of them were found in actual Late Avar burials.6 In what
follows, these spathae will be presented in chronological order.
The spathae are double-edged swords with broad, symmetrical blade with
fuller on its central part, and angular shoulders, its edges running parallel to
each other (map 27, figs. 56–60). The blade is often pattern welded. The hilt
is usually narrow, trapezoid in shape with quadrangular or rectangular cross
section, and the hilt often ends in a pommel cast of copper alloy or forged of
iron. Spathae of the Early phase are not equipped with a crossguard, probably
because it was made of organic material (like wood). The length of spathae is
usually 80–90 cm, its blade width being around 4–5 cm, and the hilt length is
between 10 and 15 cm. 53 Early phase swords belong to this type.
Hungarian research has mainly focussed on Hunnic and Early Merovingian
(Lombard and Gepid) spathae which were identified among Avar weapons
relatively late. During the study of the Környe cemetery Ágnes Salamon and
István Erdélyi observed a considerable number of these spathae among the
edged weapons recovered, and their presence was explained chronologically:
the cemetery was dated before the arrival of the Avars (568).7 Attila Kiss first
6 Wien–XXIII. Liesing grave No. 3 (Mossler 1948, 222); Želovce grave No. 124 (Čilinská 1973, 57,
Taf. XXII/16).
7 Salamon – Erdélyi 1971, 70–71. This chronology was not accepted, for the chronological
debate see chapter I.2.c.
DIAGRAM 4 Geographical distribution of Early Avar spathae.Transdanubia
Tisza region
Transylvania