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

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294 CHAPTER 4


cost and the destructive nature of the sampling methods.12 In spite of the small


size of the sample the variability of the weapons examined offers significant


and relevant new information on Avar-age blacksmithing techniques and the


efficacy of these weapons. Such technological observations can be made using


not only special scientific methods and equipment but also by macroscopic


examination of the artefacts.


Following the structure of the current study, the technological characteris-


tics of the polearms will be described first, followed then by the edged weap-


ons. Unfortunately, spearheads are even less well understood technologically


than that of edged weapons but some useful information has been gained by


simple macroscopic examination. However, a historiographical question of


some technological relevance should be first discussed: the supposed ‘good


quality’ (in terms of good preservation) of the Early Avar reed-shaped spear-


heads with connecting chap and grid-patterned rings (P.I.A).13 Various theo-


ries have been suggested to explain the preservation of these weapons, such as


their Inner Asian14 or Byzantine origin,15 as well as the contribution of various


manufacturing techniques, such as secondary burning,16 casting17 or die


forging.18 None of these theories paid attention to the results of the metallo-


graphic examination, such as that by Jerzy Piaskowski of the spearhead from


grave No. 129 at Környe.19


The question of origins will be discussed later but the theory of secondary


burning and die forging are technological questions. During such secondary


burning the crystal structure of an iron artefact radically changes, and in the


case of slow, natural cooling there is a reduction in carbon content and the


deconstruction of martensite which results in a soft iron and the easy bending


and deformation of the artefact. Such secondary burning of artefacts would


(grave Nos. 78, 124, 126, 235, 311, 335, 442 and 818) (Mihok et al. 1991, 67–101), three spear-
heads and one sabre from Košice-Šebastovce (spearheads from grave Nos. 221, 238 and 321,
and a sabre) (Mihok et al. 1995, 145–188).
12 Traces of sampling were observable on weapons from Környe and Šebastovce, while the
sabres of Zillingtal were restorated after sampling.
13 Good quality and good preservation of iron artefacts are not equatable. Good preserva-
tion of an iron artefact can be the result of various factors, like the type of soil, the age of
the artefact and its original metal structure.
14 Kovrig 1955a; Kovrig 1955b.
15 Von Freeden 1991, Schultze-Dörlamm 2006.
16 Bóna 1971a. 240 (24); Bóna 1980, 47–48; Csallány 1953.
17 Bálint 1993, 196.
18 Tomka 2008, 249.
19 Piaskowski 1974, 123–124.

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