334 CHAPTER 6
or Anatolia, therefore a common Byzantine origin of these spearheads is not
yet proven.
Lenticular spearheads with closed socket (P.III.A/1) is a type well-distributed
both in Transdanubia and South Germany (Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg),
though it is not necessarily of western origin, since it first appeared during the
first half of the 6th century in the cemeteries of the Gepids and Lombards in
the Carpathian Basin. These weapons are usual in the Merovingian cemeteries
of Germany where according to their local chronology they were used between
the middle of the 6th century until the first decades of the 7th century.205
Spearheads of ‘Dorfmerking type’ can be regarded as of western Merovingian
origin amongst the weaponry of the Early Avar period. Similar artefacts are
well known from early medieval cemeteries of South Germany and Italy where
it is dated to the turn of the 6th and the 7th centuries.206 Openwork spear-
heads with central rib similar to the polearm from Kölked–Feketekapu B grave
No. 82 are known from Italy and South Germany during the 6th–7th century
(map 54).207
3.1.2 Edged Weapons
Double-edged swords with fuller (spathae) are the most characteristic edged
weapons with Merovingian contacts during the Early phase. The origin of
the spathae dates back to the Late Roman period: they were originally used
as cavalry swords and their spread is partly due to the parallel appearance
of Hunnic double-edged cavalry swords.208 The Late Roman tradition was of
great significance for the development of Merovingian spathae, since work-
shops of Late Antique tradition survived the Migration period in Germany in
the Rhine region.209
The term ‘spatha’ was first used during the Roman period alongside the
term ‘gladius’ which designated the short double-edged infantry swords.210
Later the spatha became dominant and was the usual name of a sword in the
205 Schretzheim I–III. phase: 545/550–590/600 (Koch 1977, 37, 109–110); South German 5th
phase: 530–600 (Koch 2001, 62, 75).
206 Hübener 1972; Koch 2001, 63, 75.
207 See: von Hessen 1971, Abb. 1/1–4; the type is known from the cemetery of Trezzo sull’Adda,
too: Roffia 1986, Taf. 6: 5. Their most recent study: Will 2007, 181–193.
208 Anke (1998, 73) divided the double-edged swords (spathae) into two groups, distinguish-
ing western and eastern types.
209 Werner (1953, 40–43) and Böhner (1987, 412) described strong Late Roman continuity in
weapon workshops of the Rhine-region.
210 The Republican and early Imperial Period distinguished the Celtic spatha from Roman
gladius. Kolias 1988, 136.