Introduction 7
grave goods (like elements of costume, multi-part belt sets, jewellery, insignia)20
and elements of burial rite (like horse sacrifice).
As well as other scientific methods, the application of anthropological
results is increasingly important in archaeological research. The study of cor-
respondence between deposition of artefacts and age groups of the deceased
can provide significant new results for our understanding of burial rites and
social status.21 Besides the age groups, height, physique and traumatic injuries
of the deceased22 can be related to the deposition of weapons.23
The intention of this study is therefore to consider these two weapon types
from a number of different perspectives, as a significant contribution to more
complex interpretations of Avar-age society.
2 History of Research
Research on Avar-age weaponry has a considerable history, since already the
first burials identified as Avar contained elements of armament. The history of
importance of parallel study of various factors (including burial rite, age groups, quality
and quantity of deposited artefacts) (Steuer 1982; Burzler 2000). Attempts at the recon-
struction of social groups in Avar society have been mainly quantitative (Szentpéteri
1993, 165–246; Szentpéteri 1994, 231–306; Zábojník 1995, 205–336). However, a qualitative
attempt was made for the social analysis of a Late Avar cemetery of Košice–Šebastovce
(Csiky 2006, 111–124).
20 Some weapons can play the role of insignia or coronation symbols. Several examples
are known from the Middle Ages for the use of swords or spears during coronation cer-
emonies: for the spear as insignia of early medieval Lombards and the Holy Lance, see
Schramm 1955; Kirchweger 2006; for the lance of the Árpádian kings of Hungary: Kovács
2003, 261–289.
21 A specific question of the study of age groups in the context of weapon depositions is the
interpretation of children’s burials with weapons: toys or practising weapons (Ottinger
1974, 405–407) or apotropaic symbols (Schwab 1982, 260), while new approaches empha-
size the social significance of these burials (Härke 1992, 192–195). As well as children’s
burials, the graves of adolescent and adult individuals have been analysed using this
approach (Härke 1992, 192–195), and offer a good starting point for comparative studies
on the social age of the deceased (see bridal costume of female deceased of a special age:
Brather 2004b, 1–58; Brather 2007, 235–274; Brather 2008, 283–291).
22 Pathological analysis can detect traces of injuries caused by weapons, or mutation caused
by usage of weapons.
23 Only such multi-factor studies can help us decide if these men buried with weapons were
in fact warriors, or if this burial rite had only symbolic character which held particular
social significance (Härke 1992).