398 CHAPTER 8
The decreasing number of spearheads from the Late phase (200 Late phase
examples compared to the 404 Early phase spearheads) demonstrates the
declining role of the polearm which can be partly explained by a decline in
the heavy armoured cavalry. However, the Late phase is characterised by a con-
siderable typological diversity in the polearms: the conical spearhead became
dominant, the lenticular spearhead remained in use, and the triangular spear-
head appeared. The real function of the hooked spearheads belonging to this
latter group could be likely symbolic rather than real, since these huge spear-
heads (length of 50 cm) were not suitable for real fighting.
The increasing popularity of throwing weapons ( javelins) is an interesting
new development in the period which does not contradict its use as a cavalry
weapon,59 though similar weapons were mainly used by infantrymen.
Edged weapons are difficult to classify in respect of the equipment of dif-
ferent fighting units, although a general trend from double-edged swords to
single-edged blades can be observed, which probably suggests significant
changes in fighting methods. The starting point of this development could be
the change in the suspension of these swords: the new two-point and sloping
suspension facilitated the pulling out of the sword and made possible the use
of the lighter and probably cheaper single-edged sword. The other main rea-
son for these changes could have been the use of the stirrup, facilitating the
mounted use of edged weapons.
All these preconditions led to the emergence of the sabre: the single-edged
blades of triangular cross section were not suitable for thrusting, and therefore
a second, false edge was formed on their tip. The curved blade was more suit-
able for cutting than the straight one, and therefore the blade became slightly
curved. This process facilitated the use of edged weapons in light cavalry. This
process can be described from an evolutionary or typological perspective as
a necesary change in single-edged swords leading to the development of the
sabre. However, the details of Avar-age sabres contradict this theory of a uni-
linear development, the significance of the straight single-edged blades being
attested by their continued use well after the appearance of these sabres.
Carolingian influences on Late Avar weaponry can be demonstrated mainly
in terms of the seaxes, and firstly by the long seaxes. The main reason of their
use can be explained by the great popularity of straight single-edged swords,
59 The mounted use of the javelin is also demonstrated by a popular sport in Turkey called
‘cirit’: http://www.turkishculture.org/pages.php?ChildID=231&ParentID=12&ID=60&Chil
dID1=231