168 CHAPTER 3
The other examples belonging to this type have no distinguishing attribute.
The sword from Beşeneu is the longest, with a length of 1 m.44 Only five of the
mentioned swords can be accurately dated. The Martynovka type belt-set from
the Mokrin burials date them to the first half of the Early phase,45 while the
burial from Pápa–Úrdomb has been dated to the first half of the 7th century.46
As mentioned earlier, some of the double-edged swords with blades of len-
ticular cross section without crossguards were decorated with precious metal
sheets about their hilt or scabbards (E.I.B/1.b). 12 double-edged swords were
decorated with gold, silver or copper alloy sheets on their loops (fig. 61/3–4).
The occurrence of grave robbing may have had a serious effect on the occur-
rence of this group, and it is possible that some examples of the former variant
belong to this group, although no such mounts now survive. The possibility of
further examination is enhenced by the survival of these morphological parts.
The geographical distribution of these swords differs from that of the spathae
(E.I.A/1): these swords are evenly distributed in the Carpathian Basin, and
found in the same numbers in Transtisia,47 Transdanubia48 and the Danube-
Tisza interfluve.49
Most of these weapons are dated to the first half of Early phase, their role
being taken over later by single-edged swords. They are dated to the Early phase
partly by coins found as grave goods, such as the grave at Szegvár–Sápoldal,
44 Kisléghy Nagy 1911, 314.
45 Csilla Balogh (2004, 268–269) dated these mounts to the second half of the 6th century.
46 This chronology if verified by the stampedstamped pseudo-buckles and the purse-buckle
of type Pápa. ( Jankó 1930, 128. 136–138. 140) For the chronology of this buckle: Garam 2001,
109–110.
47 Four swords, 33.33%: Aradac–Mečka grave No. 31 (Nađ 1959, 58, Tab. VIII/1); Deszk G grave
No. 8 (Csallány 1939, 127. 129. I. t. 2–2a, 2. kép 2–2a); Kiszombor O grave No. 2 (Csallány
1939, 125–126, I. t. 1–1a, 2. kép. 1); Szegvár–Sápoldal (Bóna 1979, 5. 8. 3. kép 1; Bóna 1980,
48–52).
48 Four swords, 33.33%: Csolnok–Szedres, Kenderföldek grave No. 13 (Erdélyi 1988, 195, 203);
Környe grave No. 75 (Salamon – Erdélyi 1971, 20, Taf. 10, Taf. 32/1, Abb. 4/1); Környe grave
No. 109 (Salamon – Erdélyi 1971, 24, Taf. 19. Taf. 32/4); Törökbálint 36/25. site grave No. 1
(Kovrig 1957, 119–120. XVII. T. 1–2. XVIII. t. 1. 26. ábra).
49 Four examples: Bačko Petrovo Selo–Čik grave No. 28 (Brukner 1968, 172, T. LIX/1; Simon
1991, 289, 16. kép 11; Bugarski 2009, 39. 116–117. fig. 102. T.VI); Dabas (Gyón)–Paphegy grave
No. 1 (Simon 1987, 10. kép; Simon 1991, 290, 14. kép 6. 16. kép 12; Simon – Székely 1991,
188, 191–192. 193–195); Tiszavárkony–Hugyin-part grave No. 20 (Kiss 1962, 18–19. XIV. t. 2.
XXXVII. t. 3; Simon 1991, 308); Visznek–Kecskehegy grave No. 68 (Török 1975a, 334, 341, 343.
fig. 6/1. 16; Simon 1991, 311. 16. kép 9).