Chronology—continuity And Discontinuity 303
The number of spearheads drastically decreased during the Middle phase,
with the types that appeared during the second half of the Early phase being
used continuously. This phase is characterised by an increasing number of
conical spearheads (P.II, fig. 34–35) compared to reed-shaped (P.I) and len-
ticular (P.III) spearheads.
The absolute predominance of sabres with curved blades (E.III) is also a
characteristc feature of the edged weapons of the phase (fig. 75–81). Strongly
curved blades (E.III.C, fig. 81) were popular during this period. Besides curved
blades, straight single-edged blades (E.II.A, fig. 69–70) were also contempo-
raneous with the use of straight single-edged blades with false edge (E.II.C,
figs. 73–74). Most of the edged weapons were equipped with crossguards by
this period. Besides sabres and single-edged swords, seaxes became increas-
ingly popular due to the spread of broad seaxes with long and wide blade
(E.IV.C, fig. 83), but shorter and narrower blades of 30–40 cm length are also
known (E.IV.B, fig. 82/3–4).
The hilts of edged weapons were decorated with various rivets with differ-
ent heads (fig. 89), such as rhombic (R.2), cylindrical (R.3) and rosette (R.4).
Some types of crossguards were used only during this phase (star-shaped
crossguards with gold or silver covering [CG.5.a] and regular star-shaped cross-
guards [CG.5.b], fig. 93). Various suspension loops were used for single-edged
swords and sabres, like P-shaped loops with long projection (S.4.c), elongated
D-shaped [S.5.b] and ogee-shaped [S.5.c] suspension loops, the inner field of
which was decorated (fig. 104). Some of these types remained in use during the
beginning of the 8th century.
5 Late Avar I. (700–750)
Besides Middle Avar traditions, some new features appeared during the first
half of the 8th century, the most significant of which was the general spread
of belt-sets cast of copper alloy which were characteristic not only of the
Carpathian Basin but also of Eastern Europe.12
is also distinct in some cemeteries, such as in Tiszafüred and the 2nd–3rd phase: Garam
1995, 397–404; Leobersdorf: Daim 1987, 132–135).
12 This period is characterised by socketed strap-ends cast of copper alloy and cast belt-
mount with animal representations, this period being parallel to the SPA 2 and 3 phases
of the Leobersdorf cemetery (Daim 1987, Abb. 28–29) and the 4th phase at Tiszafüred
(Garam 1995, 404–412).