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

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Chronology—continuity And Discontinuity 305


In conjunction with the decreasing number of male burials with belt-sets,


the number of weapon burials also diminished, though it disappeared only at


the end of the period. Most of the already known spearhead types continued


to be used during this period. The predominance of the reed-shaped spear-


head can be observed in its later subtypes (P.I.C–F, figs. 29–32). The volume of


conical spearheads (P.II, figs. 33–35) continued to rise further, however, most


of the known spearhead types were no longer deposited in burials.


Straight single-edged sword blades (E.II.A/2, figs. 68–70) were predominant


during the second half of the 8th century, while long seaxes with their tips at


the edge (E.IV.D, fig. 84) are known in great numbers from this phase. Sabres


with slightly curved blade (E.III.A, figs. 75–76) became rare. Only one double-


edged sword is known from this period,14 which is probably an import from


southeastern Europe (Bulgaria or Byzantium).15


7 General Types Characteristic of Longer Timespans


Whilst the general chronological trends of the main Avar-age polearms and


edged weapons have been outlined above, there are some types which can-


not be dated to a short or specific period, since their attributes are too general


or are characteristic of longer timespans (like centuries). Simple reed-shaped


spearheads with closed socket (P.I.B/3.e, fig. 27) and single-edged swords with-


out crossguard or scabbard decoration (P.II.A/2, fig. 67) remained in use for a


considerable time, beginning with the Early phase and lasting until the end of


the Late phase. The change in weapon types was clearly not even across the


different periods but their main tendencies do show the rhythm of changes in


respect of fighting methods.


14 Čierny Brod I. grave 2 (Čilinská – Točik 1978, 46; Točík 1992, 9–12. Obr. 7; Zábojník 1995,
No. 19).
15 Kiss 1987a, 204–205; Szőke 1992a, 95–96.

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