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

372 CHAPTER 7

Spearheads were deposited in 73 cases next to the feet of the individual in most

of the cases to the right (41 examples) and only in nine cases to the left foot.

Polearms deposited near the skull of the deceased are fewer (16 cases), while in

13 cases the spearhead was near the shoulder and in eight cases near the femur

of the individual.

3.2 Edged Weapons

The position of edged weapons were examined in only 157 cases due ot the

lack of descriptions or grave plans in other cases. Edged weapons were mostly

placed on the left arm of the deceased, but in some cases besides the legs.

The tip of most of such swords pointed toward the feet, however, the seaxes of

Site Grave No. Feet Skull Humerus Thigh Right Left Literature

108 Vác–

Kavicsbánya

103 X Tettamanti
2000, 24–25
109 Vác–

Kavicsbánya

189 X X Tettamanti
2000, 42–43
110 Várpalota–

Unio–

Homokbánya

12 X Bóna 2000b,

129–130

DIAGRAM 18 The position of polearms in male burials.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

rightle unkown

feet

skull

thigh

(cont.)