General Conclusions 401
The polearms and edged weapons show diversity in their primary attribute,
being the form of blade. Their classification demonstrates that the functional
characteristics of the weapons changed only slowly, and narrower chronological
distinctions cannot be made from them, while their decoration as a secondary
attribute was subject to much more rapid transformation and can be dated
more accurately. Typological processes can be observed in the case of some
types, however, these changes are not unilinear and this method can be used
only for tracing some characteristic tendencies.
The common classification of polearms and edged weapons is particu-
larly important for their diachronic study. Several important processes in the
evolution of these weapons can be observed, like for example the gradual
spread of conical spearheads (P.II), the narrowing of reed-shaped spearheads
(P.I) or the tendency toward the dominance of single-edged blades stretching
across the three period system of Avar chronology.6
The development of the sabre has Eurasian importance amongst these wider
processes, and is demonstrated in the large number of early sabres known
from Avar cemeteries. The two main steps in the development of the sabre
6 This conclusion is verified by the fact that the predecessors of Middle phase sabres are
already known from the Early phase (Simon 1991).
DIAGRAM 24 Chronological distribution of polearms and edged weapons in the Avar-age
Carpathian Basin.0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
EA MA LA
edged weapons
polearms