A. Dobos, C. H. Opreanu-Migration Period and Early Medieval Cemeteries at Fántánele (VI-VII Vek)

Alpr Dobos
Coriolan Horaiu Opreanu
MIGRATION PERIOD AND EARLY MEDIEVAL

CEMETERIES AT FNTNELE
(Bistria-Nsud County)
ROMANIAN ACADEMY
INSTITUTE OF ARCHAEOLOGY AND ART HISTORY CLUJ-NAPOCA
Series
Patrimonium Archaeologicum Transylvanicum
Editors
Sorin Coci
Adrian Ursuiu
Volume 5
INSTITUTE OF ARCHAEOLOGY AND ART HISTORY CLUJ-NAP OCA
ALPR DOBOS
CORIOLAN HORAIU OPREANU
MIGRATION PERIOD
AND EARLY MEDIEVAL
CEMETERIES
AT FNTNELE
(BISTRIA-NSUD COUNTY)
With contributions of Szilrd Sndor Gl and Eszter Horvth
MEGA PUBLISHING HOUSE

Cluj-Napoca, 2012
Descrierea CIP a Bibliotecii Naionale a Romniei

DOBOS ALPR
Migration period and early medieval cemeteries at Fntnele /
Alpr Dobos, Coriolan Horaiu Opreanu. - Cluj-Napoca : Mega, 2012
Bibliogr.
ISBN 978-606-543-259-8
I. Opreanu, Coriolan Horaiu
902(498 Fntnele)
The Authors, 2012
Tehnoredactare:
Crina Sincovici
Editura Mega | www.edituramega.ro

e-mail: mega@edituramega.ro
IN MEMORY OF ION HORAIU CRIAN

AND FLORIN MEDELE
Ion Horaiu Crian (left) and Florin Medele (right)

troweling the princely grave at Cugir
C ON T E N T S
Foreword................................................................................................................................ 9
I. Introduction .....................................................................................................................11
II. The graves from the Migration Period.........................................................................13
II.1.Burial customs .........................................................................................................13
II.1.1.Orientation ..................................................................................................13
II.1.2.Dimensions, depth, and shape of the graves ................................................ 14
II.1.3.Animal graves ............................................................................................. 14
II.2.Analysis of grave-goods............................................................................................15
II.2.1.Grave 1 VWZ ...............................................................................................15
II.2.2.Pit 3 ............................................................................................................15
II.2.3.Grave 1 ....................................................................................................... 16
II.2.4.Grave 4 .......................................................................................................17
II.3.Chronology ............................................................................................................ 20
III. The Early Medieval Cemetery ...................................................................................... 21
III.1.The structure of the cemetery ............................................................................... 21
III.2.The population...................................................................................................... 21
III.3.Later interventions ............................................................................................... 22
III.4.Burial customs ...................................................................................................... 28
III.4.1.Orientation ............................................................................................... 28
III.4.2.The graves................................................................................................. 29
III.4.2.1.Dimensions, depth, and shape of the graves .................................. 29
III.4.2.2.Interior structures......................................................................... 29
III.4.3.The position of the skeletons ......................................................................31
III.4.4.Double burials (?) ......................................................................................31
III.4.5.Cons ...................................................................................................... 32
III.4.6.Animal bones ............................................................................................ 32
III.4.6.1.Animal bones in human graves...................................................... 32
III.4.6.2.Animal grave................................................................................. 33
III.4.6.3.Contexts 20 and 39 ....................................................................... 34
III.4.7.Empty graves............................................................................................. 35
III.5.Analysis of grave-goods ......................................................................................... 35
III.5.1.Personal ornaments and jewellery ............................................................. 35
III.5.1.1.Earrings ......................................................................................... 35
III.5.1.2.Beads ............................................................................................ 36
III.5.1.3.Buckles and belt accessories .......................................................... 37
III.5.1.4.Leg garters (Wadenbindengarnituren) ............................................ 42
7
III.5.2.Weapons and weapon accessories.............................................................. 43

III.5.2.1.Spearheads .................................................................................... 43
III.5.2.2.Arrowheads................................................................................... 46
III.5.2.3.Shield-boss .................................................................................... 47
III.5.2.4.Pyramidal strap-retainer ............................................................... 47
III.5.3.Tools ......................................................................................................... 49
III.5.3.1.Knives ........................................................................................... 49
III.5.3.2.Scissors ......................................................................................... 50
III.5.3.3.Spindle-whorl ............................................................................... 50
III.5.4.Other objects ............................................................................................ 50
III.5.5.Pottery .......................................................................................................51
III.5.5.1.Wheel-thrown pottery ................................................................... 54
III.5.5.2.Hand-made pottery ....................................................................... 56
III.6.Chronology ........................................................................................................... 58
IV. Conclusions ................................................................................................................... 59
V. Catalogue of graves........................................................................................................ 63
References ........................................................................................................................... 81
Appendix 1. Osteological analysis of human remains (by Szilrd Sndor Gl) ................ 93
Appendix 2. Optical microscope investigation of the glass nds
discovered at Fntnele (by Eszter Horvth) ..................................................................... 97
Abbreviations .....................................................................................................................101
Plates...................................................................................................................................103
F O R E WOR D
Starting with the early 1970s Fntnele (Bistria-Nsud County) has been a wellknown site in the archaeological literature referring to the Migration Period and
Early Middle Ages in Transylvania. Although the excavations carried out on the hill
called Dmbul Popii by the research team lead by Ion Horaiu Crian have never
been published exhaustively, the site was included in several synthesis works on the
topic of the archaeological material from Transylvania belonging to the Migration
Period, respectively to the 6th7th centuries. The main goal of the present volume is
to ll this gap by publishing all the known data regarding the mentioned discoveries
based on the original documentation (written and drawn record) on one hand, and
on the grave-goods identied with a few exceptions in the depot of the Institute of
Archaeology and Art History, Cluj-Napoca, on the other hand.
Due to the fact that the majority of the skeletal material discovered at Fntnele
was also preserved in the mentioned location, it was possible to carry out anthropological investigations on a part of them (Appendix 1), for which we are grateful
to Szilrd Sndor Gl. For the optical microscope investigation of the glass inlays
discovered in graves 1 and 6 (Appendix 2) we would like to thank Eszter Horvth.
A substantial part of this research was accomplished with the nancial support
oered to Alpr Dobos by Domus Hungarica Scientiarium et Artium in the frame of a
Junior Fellowship awarded in November December 2011 at Budapest, to whom the
authors are thankful. The drawing of the archaeological material was done by Narcisa
ugar (Institute of Archaeology and Art History, Cluj-Napoca). The authors would
also like to thank dr. Sorin Coci and dr. Adrian Ursuiu (Institute of Archaeology and
Art History, Cluj-Napoca) for the possibility of publishing these results in the series
Patrimonium Archaeologicum Transylvanicum.
The authors,
Cluj-Napoca, 01.10.2012
I NTR ODU C T ION
The excavations at Fntnele (Hungarian: Szszjs, js; German: Neusch, Eisch, Bistria-Nsud
County) began in 1969. The nd-spot called Dmbul Popii is located on the south-western part
of the village, near the reformed church (Pl. 1). The main task of the research team lead by Ion
Horaiu Crian and composed of Tudor Soroceanu and Florin Medele1 was the investigation of
the cremation cemetery dated in the La Tne Period identied in 19672 on this plateau. The eld
research lasted until 1976 and resulted, beside the excavation of the mentioned cemetery from
the La Tne Period, in the identication of several groups of inhumation graves dated in dierent periods. From methodological point of view the excavation consisted of 1 m wide trenches of
dierent lenght; between these a 0.3 m space was left (Pl. 56).
The rst group of archaeological features discussed in the present volume was unearthed
in 1972 consisting of one human and four animal graves. On the grounds of the archaeological
material they were dated in the Migration Period and therefore the human grave was named
grave1VWZ (Vlkerwanderungszeit), while the animal graves were considered pits and numbered from 2 to 5. Unfortunately, the exact position of these features is unknown since none
of them was marked on the general plan of the excavation. The only information comes from
the written record where it is mentioned that they had been discovered in trench I excavated
in order to verify the area of the new reformat cemetery which was planed to be opened at the
end of the same year. On the grounds of this information the graves in question can be roughly
located on the territory of the actual cemetery (Pl. 1). It seems that they formed a small group
of graves; however, it is not clear enough if the three trenches excavated with this purpose managed to cover the whole area of the modern cemetery excluding the possibility of the existence
of other, unobserved graves.
In the next year another grave belonging to the Migration Period was discovered which,
on the basis of its topographical position, seems to be an isolated burial. In order to distinguish it
from the Scythian and La Tne graves, a new numbering was started using Roman numerals, thus
the discussed burial became grave I. Another small group belonging to the Migration Period and
consisting of four burials was identied in 1974. In spite of the relatively great distance from grave
I they were considered to be part of the same cemetery and were numbered continuously, i.e. IIV.
In 1975, eastwards from the previously mentioned area, several graves were also identied
which can be dated in the 6th7th centuries; however, the chronological dierence between these
and graves IV was not recognized immediately by the leaders of the excavation. In the course
of 19751976 there were unearthed 59 graves belonging to this Early Medieval cemetery which
1
George Marinescu (19701973), tefan Dnil (1970), Teodor Cmpan (1973) and Coriolan Horaiu Opreanu
(1976) were also part of the eld research team.
DNIL 1974, 465.
11
were numbered continuously from VI to LXV3. For practical reasons it was decided to renumber
the graves, using in this volume Arabic numerals instead of Roman ones. On the other hand, the
numbering of grave 1 VWZ and pits 25 were not changed.
Since the end of the excavations no monographic publication has been published and,
because of the quite complicated situation presented above, several confusions appeared in the
archaeological literature, mainly regarding to the number4 and the dating of the graves. The
rst archaeological reports, referring to the excavations from 19721974, mentioned the burials
belonging to the Migration Period, without the exact number of the discovered graves5. Later,
these burials were considered to be part of the Early Medieval cemetery which was dated in the
5th6th centuries.6
The only burial which was exhaustively published by the leaders of the excavation in 1991
is grave 47 which, at the same time, is the richest one discovered at FntneleDmbul Popii.
Later, it was included in Radu Harhoius monograph on the Early Migration Period in Romania
as well.8 Both the graves from the Migration Period and the cemetery from the 6th7th century
were discussed in the PhD thesis of Corneliu Gaiu, without oering an exhaustive description9.
A few artefacts discovered in the latter one were included also in the Catalogue of the exhibition
organized on the topic of the Gepids in Transylvania in 201110.
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Grave XXVIII turned out to be the same as grave 93 dated in the Scythian Period.
Regarding the number of the graves the confusions were created, among others, by the fact that not all the authors
discussed separated the Migration Period graves and the Early Medieval ones. Thus the number of the burials
belonging to the Migration Period varies between one and three (one: HARHOIU 19992001, 151, Nr.41/a.1;
HARHOIU 20042005, 311, Nr. 37/a1; GEPIZII 2011, 36, nr. 46/b1; two: HOREDT 1977, 267, Nr. 10; two or
three: GAIU 1999a, 194, nr. 8/a; three: DNIL 1974, 470; CSEH 1990, 69, 31/A), while the number of the ones
dated in the 6th7th centuries oscillates between 41 and over 100 (41: HARHOIU 19992001, 151, Nr. 41/a.2; 46:
HOREDT 1977, 267, Nr. 10; CSEH 1990, 69, 31/B; 60: GAIU 1999a, 194, nr. 8/b; 61: GEPIZII 2011, 36, nr. 46/
b2; over 100: EAIVR 1996, 127 considering all the excavated graves to be part of the same cemetery).
MORINTZ 1973, 375, no. 62; DNIL 1974, 470; STOIA 1975, 285, no. 79.
STOIA 1976, 277, no. 51/a; STOIA 1977, 363, no. 55.
CRIAN OPREANU 1991.
HARHOIU 1998, 174, Nr. 38.1, Taf. LXXXVIII/C.
GAIU 1999a, 194195, nr. 8.
GEPIZII 2011, 139142, nr. 129137. The artefacts were borrowed by C. Opreanu to C. Gaiu for an exhibition
at Bistria. C. Gaiu published them under his name in the Catalogue without asking permission from the owner
(Institute of Archaeology and Art History Cluj-Napoca C. Opreanu), breaking the deontological rules without
any explanation.
12
FROM
II
T HE G R AV E S
THE M IG R AT ION P E R IOD
As it was shown above, from a topographical point of view, the graves dating from the Early
Migration Period and the partially excavated cemetery belonging to the 6th7th centuries at
FntneleDmbul Popii can be easily separated. Unfortunately, the exact place of each grave
of the former group is not known, since the plan of the excavations contains only the burials
belonging to the Early Iron Age and the La Tne period, respectively the inhumation graves
unearthed during the campaigns from 19731976 marked with numbers from 1 to 65.Because of
this situation, the position of the grave 1 VWZ and of the pits 25 inside the cemetery is unclear.
It seems that graves 25 formed a group which was situated relatively far from grave 1. These
circumstances make it impossible to analyze in detail the structure of this early grave group.
II.1. BURIAL CUSTOMS

II.1.1. Orientation
Due to the lack of information regarding the pits 2511, the more or less exact orientation is
known only in the case of graves 1 VWZ and 15.These six graves can be divided in three groups:
graves with NS orientation (graves 1, 2), one grave with SN orientation (grave 3) and graves
with WE orientation (graves 1 VWZ, 4, 5). This situation of cemeteries with mixed orientation
is typical for the end of the 4th century rst half of the 5th century. This period can be characterized by the mixture of dierent cultural inuences not only from the point of view of the
artefacts, but also in what concerns the burial customs. These characteristics appear in dierent
proportion in the cemeteries of the period12.
Generally, the graves with dierent orientation inside one cemetery were interpreted on
chronological, religious and ethnic-cultural grounds. For example, in the cemetery at Tiszadob
Sziget, the graves with WE orientation were considered as representing a later phase than those
oriented SN13. The same conclusion was drawn also in the case of the cemetery at rtnd
BiharkeresztesKisfarkasdomb, where the three WE oriented graves were included in the latest
phase of the cemetery14. Regarding the cultural background, the SN orientation was explained
as a reection of Sarmatian traditions, while the NS one was connected to the Sntana de Mure
/ Marosszentanna-ernjachov culture15. The WE orientation appeared already in the area of the
Sntana de Mure / Marosszentanna-ernjachov culture, representing a minority16. During the
11
12
13
14
15
16
Neither the drawn nor the written documentation contains any data referring to their orientation.
For a general view see ISTVNOVITS KULCSR 1999.
ISTVNOVITS 1991, 3035; ISTVNOVITS KULCSR 1999, 69.
MESTERHZY 2007, 268.
ISTVNOVITS KULCSR 1999.
ISTVNOVITS 1991, 34 (with further bibliography); for the situation of the Transylvanian cemeteries see HICACMPEANU 1979, 164; for the graveyards from Muntenia see MITREA PREDA 1966, 123124.
13
5th century in the Carpathian Basin it became the dominant way of orienting the graves, and it
was used almost exclusively in the row-grave cemeteries from the Gepidic/Langobard Period17.
Taking into account the small number of graves and more important the lack of data,
at Fntnele it is dicult to draw conclusions regarding the proportion of the NS and WE orientated graves. The same is valid for their chronological relation, because only pit 3 and graves 1
and 4 contained more or less datable nds (see below).
II.1.2. Dimensions, depth, and shape of the graves
All the graves in discussion were disturbed; therefore the reconstruction of their dimensions and shape should be done carefully. Grave 1 had unusually big dimensions: 3.221.59m.
Its northern half was wider, which possibly can be connected to a later reopening. On these
grounds it cannot be excluded that grave 1 initially had an oval shape.
It can be observed that the two NS oriented human graves (1, 2) are bigger than those having a WE orientation, mainly in what concerns their width18. A similar dierence was detected
also in the cemeteries from the area of the Sntana de Mure / Marosszentanna-ernjachov
culture, just like in the case of the cemetery at TiszadobSziget (this time between the graves oriented SN and WE)19. The majority of the graves (1 VWZ, 1, 5) have a more or less oval shape.
Grave 4 is rectangular (or slightly rhomboidal); grave 2 is straight on its northern end, while the
southern end is rounded.
Taking a closer look to the depth, grave 1 draws the attention again: it is the deepest
(1.67m)20, being followed by the other NS oriented grave (no. 2) (1.02m). The graves with
WE orientation are less deep, varying between 0.33 (grave 5) and around 0.75 m (grave 4).
In three cases (graves 1, 2, 4) steps were observed along one (graves 2 and 4) or both of the
long edges (grave 1). Just like the case of the cemetery dated in the 6th7th centuries, the question referring to the validity of these steps and if they can be connected to later interventions,
remains open. Even if not characteristic, this phenomenon was observed several times in the
cemeteries from the 4th5th centuries21.
II.1.3. Animal graves
Out of the ve graves which contained only animal bones four (pits 25) cannot be located
exactly, the only certain fact in this direction is that they were laying close one to the other in the
neighbouring area of grave 1 VWZ. The fth grave (nr. 3) was situated next to the human grave
2; therefore a connection between them seems probable.
The way the animals (probably horses) were deposited in the graves is dicult to reconstruct, due to the fact that all of them were disturbed. On the basis of the bones which were left
in the graves (some of them, in original position) it can be presumed that the complete body of
the animals was buried. Generally, the burial pits were oval and narrow; their depth varied from
0.70 m to 2.15 m measured from the surface22.
Horse bones were discovered also in grave 1, being mixed with the human ones. The disturbed condition of the grave makes it impossible to draw further conclusions.
17
18
19
20
21
22
For a general overview see OTTOMNYI 2001, 4445.More scholars connected this change to the adoption of
Christianity, see e.g. HICA-CMPEANU 1979, 164; MITREA PREDA 1966, 160.
NS orientation: grave 1: 3.221.59m, grave 2: 2.121.21m; WE orientation: grave 1 VWZ: 1.630.51m,
grave 4: 2.090.80m, grave 5: 1.870.67m.
ISTVNOVITS 1991, 35.
The depths are calculated from the level of the identication of the graves.
E. g. Budapest-Gazdagrt: ZSIDI 1987, 66; Pty: OTTOMNYI 2001, 43.
Unfortunately, no information is given regarding the identication level of the graves; only the relative depth,
measured from the level of the contemporary walking surface, was recorded.
14
II.2. ANALYSIS OF GRAVE-GOODS

II.2.1. Grave 1 VWZ
The single nd from this grave is a looped iron mount of longish triangular shape
(Pl.3/1VWZ/2; Pl.36/4) discovered above the basin of the skeleton. Judging after its shape, it
could belong to a bit, having the role of connecting the bridle and the mouthpiece. Objects of
similar form were discovered xed on bits with cheek pieces, for example at Apahida, princely
grave 223 or at Deersheim, grave 924.
A bronze object with somewhat similar structure, but of straighter form was discovered
in the female grave dating from the second half of the 5th century at Aquincum/buda25. Due to
its secondary position the exact functionality could not be established. According to gnes B.
Tth the piece served most likely for suspending a heavy object and was xed on a thick strap
of leather or a piece of wood. However, the same author did not exclude the possibility that the
artefact had initially another purpose, most likely as part of the harness, and later received a
secondary functionality26.
Since the object from Fntnele had no associated nds, it is dicult to date it or to oer
a closer interpretation.
II.2.2. Pit 3
The iron brooch discovered in the ll of pit 3 (Pl.4/P3/4; Pl.36/2) is fragmentary, the foot is
completely missing and the pin is only partially preserved. This fragmentary state of preservation
impedes seriously its typological framing. Based on the relatively narrow spring and the shape of
the bow, it possibly can be connected to the Viminacium type brooches27. However, this typological identication is not certain, taking into consideration that the foot with the pin holder, one of
the most representative components of the type, is missing. Most of the brooches of Viminacium
type were discovered in the North-Balkans, along the Danube limes, but in smaller quantity they
are known from the North-Danubian areas, as well. They were dated in the period between the
middle of the 5th century and the beginning of the 6th century28. Simple iron brooches were present on several Transylvanian sites of the period, rst of all being attested in settlements29, less
frequently in cemeteries30.
The iron buckle (Pl.4/P3/3; Pl.36/1) discovered in the same grave belongs to the large
group of buckles with ribbed decoration, representing the kidney-shaped variant without plate.
Buckles of similar shape with or without decoration are known in a relative high number from
the Middle Danube region in the course of the 5th century, the majority of them being made of
non-ferrous metals31. Regarding the technique of the ribbed decoration, having as starting point
a few buckles (Gyngysapti, Drslavice, Borovoje, Marchegg) dated in the Hun Age32, an eastern origin was accepted by several archaeologists33. Based on this presumption, as well as on a
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
HOREDT PROTASE 1972, 185186, Abb.7/1, Taf.45/4a-b.

The two undecorated pieces are made of bronze: SCHNEIDER 1983, 220, Abb.74/3, 8.
B. TTH 2010, Fig.6.4/8, Fig.6.5/8.
B. TTH 2010, 201202.
SCHULZE-DRLAMM 1986, 605608, Abb.11.
SCHULZE-DRLAMM 1986, 605608, for their distribution see 713, Fundliste 3, 606, Abb.12; IVANIEVI
KAZANSKI MASTYKOVA 2006, 17.
E. g. Moreti: HOREDT 1979a, Taf. 41/4/8; Bratei, settlement no. 1: BRZU 19941995, 255, Fig. 16/1113;
FloretiPolus Center: LZRESCU 2009, Pl.XXVIII/5.
E. g. Moreti, grave 17: POPESCU 1974, 218, Taf.5/89.
B. TTH 2010, 193195.
WERNER 1956, Taf.41/9, 43/1112, 51/4, 12/B6.
GARSCHA 1962, 159160; WIECZOREK 1987, 420421; UENZE 1992, 178179.
15
few pieces discovered in the Gepidic milieu34, some of the buckles with ribbed decoration, for
example the ones from Rakovani, IatrusKrivina, or Mlhofen, were interpreted as Danubian/
Gepidic/Gothic inuences35.
Recently, a few buckles mainly of higher quality from the territory of the Byzantine
Empire were published36. None of these nds were discovered in closed contexts, thus they cannot be dated precisely. Therefore Brigitte Haas presumed that these Byzantine buckles could represent the prototypes for the Hun and Merovingian Age pieces37. In Mechtild Schulze-Drlamms
opinion they represent the evidence that both the kidney-shaped and the oval buckles with
ribbed decoration can be considered products of Byzantine workshops, excluding the possibility
that they could have been produced also by craftsmen in the Middle Danube Region38. On stylistic grounds she dated the kidney-shaped variant roughly to the end of the 5th early 6th century
and the oval variant to a longer period between the end of the 5th and the second half of the 6th
century39. In the Middle Danube region the buckles belonging to this type were placed mainly in
Phase D3 (Mitteldonaulndische Phase 2), i.e. in the period around 450470/8040.
The lack of the well datable related nds makes impossible a closer chronological interpretation of the buckle from Fntnele. The rst examples appeared already in the rst half of the
5th century, the type being in use mainly in the second half of the 5th century until the beginning
of the next one41. This is the period in which the buckle from Fntnele can be placed. A similar
dating must be accepted also for the whole pit 3.
II.2.3. Grave 1
The inventory of grave 1 consisted of three small gilded mounts with glass inlay, made of
copper alloy (Pl.5/1/24; Pl.36/57) and a very small fragment of a comb (Pl.5/1/5). Due to its
fragmentary state of preservation, the type of the latter one cannot be identied.
The functionality of the three mounts is unclear. They were discovered on the bottom of
the grave, relatively far from each other. Their original number is unknown. The form and structure suggest that they could be xed on a ring. If so, they could belong to a strap distributor42 or
could be part of the harness43. Judging after their form and decoration they could also be connected to the small buckles and suspension rings known from numerous graves from the Hunnic
Age44. The loop of the mounts from Fntnele excludes the possibility that they belonged to buckles, because there is no space for xing the buckle-pin; instead it seems possible that they were
part of suspension rings fastened on the belt. Both the small buckles and suspension rings repre34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
Breaza: HOREDT 1958a, Abb.28/4; KormadinJakovo: DIMITRIJEVI 1960, Tab. I/7; SzentesKknyzug, grave
69, Kiszombor, grave 247, Komitat Szabolcs (Museum Nyregyhza), Hungary (Hungarian National Museum):
CSALLNY 1961, Taf.XVI/15, Taf.CXLII/8, Taf.CCI/17, Taf.CCXVI/9. Recently, another buckle with rhombic
plate was published from OradeaSalca Gherie, grave 5: HARHOIU GLL LAKATOS 2009, 221, Abb.5/8.
Rakovani: MILETI 1975, 209210, Taf. II/11; IatrusKrivina: GOMOLKA-FUCHS 1991, 171, Taf. 58/777;
GOMOLKA-FUCHS 1995, 103, Taf.2/15; Mlhofen: GRUNWALD 1998, 52, Abb.7/2.
Byblos or Tyros and Achmin: HAAS SCHEWE 1993, 265, Nr.89, Abb.11; two buckles from Asia Minor and
one with unknown place of discovery from the Byzantine Empire: SCHULZE-DRLAMM 2002, 1317, Nr.57;
Ibida/Slava Rus: OPAI 1991, 47, nr. 47, Fig.18/47.
HAAS SCHEWE 1993, 263.
SCHULZE-DRLAMM 2002, 1215.
SCHULZE-DRLAMM 2002, 1315.
TEJRAL 2005, 123.
HARHOIU 1998, 106.
Such objects with similar mounts as the ones from Fntnele are known, for example, from the North-Caucasus
region, from Koumboulta and Kamunta and were interpreted as sets belonging to the headdress: AKHMEDOV
2007, 264265, Fig.1/2122.
Horse bones were also discovered in the grave.
BNA 1991, 106, Abb.41, 255.
16
sent typical nds of the elite male graves, generally being made of gold and decorated with precious stone inlay45. Concerning the fastening system, similar pieces with the ones from Fntnele
can be mentioned e. g. from SzegedNagyszkss46, Untersiebenbrunn47 or Lengyeltti48. This
group of artefacts represent one of the most typical objects of the phase D2, i.e. the Hunnic Age,
being represented in a much smaller number in the following period49. They were used mainly as
elements of the belt-set or, less frequently, as part of the harness50.
The decoration of the abovementioned suspender rings and small buckles consists generally of a round inlaid stone or glass plate, but kidney-shaped inlays occur less frequently. Such
decoration is known e. g. from one of the suspender rings from SzegedNagyszkss51 or from
a small buckle plate discovered in the second princely grave at Apahida52. Kidney-shaped stone
and glass inlays had a wide distribution all around Europe53, being in use both in the Byzantine
Empire and the Barbaricum. The earliest objects decorated with this kind of inlays appeared
already in the 4th century, reaching the heyday of their popularity in the 5th century, mainly in its
second and third quarter54.
Taking into consideration the raw materials55 (copper alloy, glass) used for the manufacturing of the mounts from Fntnele in comparison with the ones (gold, precious stones) out of
which the suspender rings of the elite men from the Hun Age were produced, one can presume
that the mounts in question represent a cheaper imitation made after the golden prototypes of the
period. This hypothesis is supported also by the technique applied for the production of the pieces
from Fntnele. They were cast out of copper alloy, their surface being gilded in order to create the
impression of golden objects. In the same time, the technique of the inlay is much simpler than in
the case of the objects of high quality: there was no golden backing foil beneath the inlayed glass
plate, only the surface of the mount is gilded, without having any decoration. On these grounds, it
seems probable that the mounts discovered in grave 1 at Fntnele can be considered imitations of
the similar objects of the period and can be dated in the Hunnic Age or slightly later.
II.2.4. Grave 456
Even if disturbed, grave 4 had the most numerous nds out of the burials from Fntnele
Dmbul Popii. Beside this, it draws the attention also because of the articially deformed skull
of the deceased57.
The brooch with triangular head-plate, rhombic foot-plate and chip-carved (Kerbschnitt)
decoration (Pl.6/4/3; Pl.35/1) belongs to the Pra-Levice type dened by Joachim Werner58.
Based on the similar brooches discovered in Crimea, Werner believed that the type developed
in workshops from South-Russia, and was distributed in the Middle Danube region in the mid45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
KELLER 1967, 112113; TEJRAL 1988, 254; KAZANSKI AKHMEDOV 2007, 253254.
FETTICH 1953, I. tbla/77a.
KELLER 1967, Abb.1/11.
BAKAY 1978, Abb.3/5, Abb.4/5.
TEJRAL 1988, 254, Abb.21/15, 1315; KAZANSKI AKHMEDOV 2007, 253255.
KAZANSKI AKHMEDOV 2007, 255.
FETTICH 1953, I. tbla/88a.
HOREDT PROTASE 1972, Taf.33/4.
For their distribution see SCHMAUDER 2002, I, 332333, Fundliste 9, II, 114, Karte 7.
For a detailed discussion about the distribution and dating of the artefacts with kidney-shaped inlay see QUAST
2007, 3942.
For a more detailed analysis of the raw materials and the manufacturing technique see the contribution of Eszter
Horvth in this volume (Appendix 2).
Grave 4 was already published:CRIAN OPREANU 1991; later it was also included in HARHOIU 1998, 174,
Nr.38.1, Taf.LXXXVIII/C.
See the contribution of Szilrd Sndor Gl in this volume (Appendix 1).
WERNER 1959, 428431.
17
dle and the second half of the 5th century59. Later, the Crimean origin and the distribution
path proposed by Werner were questioned, and it was suggested that the type appeared in the
Danube area being distributed the other way around, i.e. in WestEast direction60. Anyway, the
dispersal area of the brooches of Pra-Levice type61 shows a higher concentration in the area
of the Middle- and Lower Danube than in South-Russia. Beside the brooch from Fntnele, in
Transylvania only a pair of brooches belonging to the discussed type were discovered at Bratei,
grave 2/196862. As dating of the Pra-Levice type brooches, the middle/second half of the 5th
century was generally accepted63. The brooch from Fntnele, grave 4 can be placed in this
period as well, a closer dating being impossible due to the lack of well datable related nds.
The second brooch (Pl. 6/4/8; Pl. 35/2) discovered in grave 4 belongs to the type with
reverted foot. Such artefacts are known from the Late Roman Period as well as from the sites
belonging to the Sntana de Mure / Marosszentanna ernjachov culture, being in use through
the whole Migration Period. Since the brooch in question is fragmentary, only the foot being
preserved, its closer typological and chronological interpretation is not possible.
The earring with massive polyedric button (Pl.6/4/4; Pl.35/7) belongs to one of the most
common types of the period. The origin of these earrings was the subject of debate among the
scholars. In the archaeological literature two main theories can be distinguished regarding this
problem. This situation resulted from the observation that the earliest examples appeared at the
end of the 4th/beginning of the 5th century both in the Caucasus area and in the Late Roman cemeteries in Pannonia and Noricum. Therefore a few specialists believed that the Late Roman earrings
with massive polyedric button from the Middle Danube region (Lorch/Lauriacum, Dunajvros/
Intercisa, Cskvr) can be considered the earliest pieces and, in the same time, can be connected to
the Roman population, excluding any barbarian inuences. According to this theory the type was
taken over from the Roman provinces by the dierent (mainly Eastern Germanic) populations64.
In opposition to the hypothesis of Late Roman roots, other scholars argued in favour of an eastern
origin. The adepts of this theory emphasized the importance of the early nds from the Caucasus
region suggesting an EastWest direction of distribution. In their view the presence of the earrings
with massive polyedric button in the Late Roman cemeteries could be the result of migration from
the East of dierent communities, and in consequence they represent foreign elements. In the
case of the cemetery at Cskvr they were connected to colonized communities settled down in
Pannonia in the Late Roman Period65. Other researchers believed that they were distributed in the
Middle Danube region by the migration of the Goths66, Alans67, or the Huns68. At the present stage
of the research it cannot be decided with certainty in which territory the earrings with massive
polyedric button appeared for the rst time; it seems probable that they were produced as early as
the end of the 4th century both in the area of the Caucasus and in the Danubian provinces69.
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
WERNER 1959, 431.

For the history of research see HEINRICH 1990, 9495.Based on the general dating in the Hunnic Age of the cemetery at BotoaniDealu Crmidriei, where in grave 1 a brooch of Pra-Levice type was discovered, R. Harhoiu
suggested also a distribution from the Middle Danube area in the direction of Crimea: HARHOIU 1998, 102.
Recently TEJRAL 2008, 260, Abb.6.
BRZU 1986, 99100, Fig.5/23; HARHOIU 1998, 167, Nr. 17.3, Taf. LXXXIX/A/1213.
WERNER 1959, 431; HEINRICH 1990, 95; HARHOIU 1998, 102; TEJRAL 2008, 258259, Abb.5/9.
BIERBRAUER 1975, 164165; B. VG BNA 1976, 196197; BNA 1979, 3738.
SALAMON BARKCZI 1971, 74; see also FREEDEN 1980, 287.
FREEDEN 1980, 286287; However, the type is unknown in the territory of the Sntana de Mure / Marosszentanna
ernjachov culture considered to be representative for the Goths from this period, see SALAMON BARKCZI
1971, 63; B. VG BNA 1976, 196197; HOREDT 1979b, 245; ISTVNOVITS 1993, 121.
HOREDT 1979b, 245246.
HARHOIU 1998, 6263.
ISTVNOVITS 1993, 121; see also HARHOIU 1998, 6263.
18
During the whole 5th century and the rst half of the 6th century the earrings with massive polyedric button were very popular, being distributed in large areas of Middle- and Eastern
Europe. They also represent one of the most characteristic nds of the Gepidic Age cemeteries
both in the Tisza-region and Transylvania. Recently, on the basis of the distribution map of the
type in the Gepidic Age cemeteries70, it was suggested that a concentration of the discoveries
could be observed in Transylvania71. Due to the fact that from a formal point of view they did not
change during the abovementioned period, a closer dating is possible only in those cases when it
is oered by the related nds72.
The small copper alloy object with longish form and sharp ending (Pl.7/4/2; Pl.35/4) was
interpreted in the rst publication as a pendant which was probably xed on a thin wire ring or
with a rivet, as the small orice on the upper end suggested73. Later, it was included in the category of the strap-ends74. Unfortunately, the position of the object inside the grave (Pl.6/4/1) cannot oer any further hints regarding the functionality. Strap-ends with similar shape are known
from the Hunnic Age75, for example from the grave discovered at Lengyeltti76; however, their
length (6.9 and 7.1cm) is approximately double in comparison with the object from Fntnele
(3.17 cm). A small strap-end with a length of 3.5 cm comes from grave 1 from MezkvesdMocsolys77 belonging to the 5th century.
The most numerous grave-goods coming from grave 4 are represented by the beads. These
are quite varied both from the point of view of the row material and the shape. Due to the postburial disturbances all of them were discovered in secondary position. In the archaeological collections of the Institute of Archaeology and Art History, Cluj-Napoca the beads discovered in grave
4 were deposited threaded on two dierent strings (Pl.7/4/1, 4; Pl.35/6, 9) which are completely
articial and have nothing to do with the situation documented in the moment of the excavation.
On the basis of the observations made in the case of the princely grave at Turda, it was presumed
that the 386 small glass beads from grave 4 at Fntnele could have been sewn on the dress78. Such
hypothesis cannot be totally excluded. However, judging after the plan of the grave it seems more
likely that all the beads were part of a single string which in the moment of the reopening was still
intact. On this string the small beads were combined with other types, of bigger dimensions.
Out of the 401 beads discovered in the discussed grave 398 are made of glass, 2 of coral, and
1 of amber. The most numerous category of the glass beads is represented by the so-called millet
type (Pl.7/4/4; Pl.35/9). Such beads of small dimensions represent one of the most common types
of the period, being in use for a long time. They occur quite frequent both in the Hunnic79 and the
Gepidic Age80. In the Avar Period they appear more frequently in the last third of the 7th century
and at the beginning of the 8th century, but in a smaller quantity they are known also from the early
phase81. The large green beads of attened globular shape (Pl.7/4/1.fi; Pl.35/6.fi) can be related
to beads of Tempelmann-Mczyska group II, type 42a82; however, two of them (Pl.7/4/1.gh;
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
HOREDT 1979b, 242, Abb.1, 247248, Fundliste 1/A; CSEH 1990, 53, 16.lista, XVI. trkp.
FERENCZ NAGY LZRESCU 2009, 430.
HOREDT 1979b, 243244.
CRIAN OPREANU 1991, 117.
HARHOIU 1998, 174.
For a general overview see KAZANSKI AKHMEDOV 2007, 255258.
BAKAY 1978, 152, Abb.3/1011.
LOVSZ 2005, 5051, Taf.34/1.3, Taf.86/3.
BRBULESCU 2008, 61, 161.
E. g. Slimnic: GLODARIU 1974, Abb.2/3; Cluj-Cordo, grave IV: HICA FERENCZI 2006, Fig.1/3; Floreti
Polus Center, grave 3 and CX 41B: FERENCZ NAGY LZRESCU 2009, Pl.V/1, Pl.XVI/4; they were frequent
in the cemetery at Moreti: POPESCU 1974, 207.
PSZTOR 2008, 315316.
TEMPELMANN-MCZYSKA 1985, 18, Taf.1/42a.
19
Pl.35/6.gh) have a more irregular section. These kind of beads were widely distributed, being in
use for a long time comprising the period between phases B1 and D.83 The three brown globular
beads (Pl.7/4/1.c, kl; Pl.35/6.c, kl) as well as the smaller blue ones (Pl.7/4/1.b,m; Pl.35/6.b,m)
represent common types, too. The bead with cogged decoration (Pl.7/4/1.d; Pl.35/6.d) belongs to
a less frequently used category. Similar pieces were discovered in several cemeteries dated in the
second half of the 4th century and the rst half of the 5th century84. Even if rarer, the mentioned
decoration appears also in the Gepidic Age cemeteries85. The tubular bead of blue colour with
hexagonal section (Pl.7/4/1.n; Pl.35/6.n) may be connected to the category of the glass beads
with polygonal section (Tempelmann-Mczyska group XII) identied in the Central-European
Barbaricum in the period beginning with phase B2/C1 until the end of phase D, or even later86.
The single amber bead (Pl.7/4/1.e; Pl.35/6.e) discovered in grave 4 has an irregular discoid shape,
similar to the ones belonging to Tempelmann-Mczyska group XXXVI, type 403 dated in the
period beginning with phase B2/C1 until the Late Migration Period87.
As it was already pointed out in the rst publication of the grave88, the bronze coin of
Constans (Pl.35/5) minted in Siscia in the period between 341 and 34689 cannot oer a starting
point for the dating of the whole funeral assemblage. As it was shown above the associated nds
indicate a later chronological position, at least with a century.
II.3. CHRONOLOGY
Due to the insuciency of data as well as the small number of the well datable grave-goods,
the chronological interpretation of the burials belonging to the Migration Period at Fntnele
cannot be precisely established.
It seems that the NS oriented grave 1 is the earliest one which on the basis of the mounts
with glass inlay can be generally dated in the Hunnic Age, or slightly later. The relative big distance between grave 1 and graves 25 suggests that it was an isolated burial which was not
directly related to the other ones.
Out of the group composed of graves 25 only grave 4 can be dated; graves 2 and 5 did not
contain any grave-goods due to the post-burial disturbances, while the objects discovered in grave
3 could not be identied in the Institute of Archaeology and Art History, Cluj-Napoca. However,
it is sure that the four graves formed a group and therefore the chronological dierences between
them cannot be too wide. Despite the fact that grave 4 contained a coin of Constans, it can be
dated on basis of the other grave-goods which show a much later chronological position. Among
them the best datable element is represented by the brooch of Pra-Levice type which indicates a
dating in the middle or, more probably, in the second half of the 5th century.
As it was already mentioned above, the topographical position of grave 1 VWZ and pits 25
is uncertain, so the question of their relation to the other graves remains open. The few gravegoods discovered in these burials (mainly those coming from pit 3) indicate a dating in the middle/second half of the 5th century, or possibly the beginning of the next one.
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
TEMPELMANN-MCZYSKA 1985, 31, 97, Tab. 8.

E. g. Kiszombor, grave 279: CSALLNY 1961, Taf.CXXXVI/1213; Szreg-Tglagyr, grave 46: NAGY 2005b,
Taf.55/46.1; Cluj-Cordo, grave IV: HICA FERENCZI 2006, Fig.1/3.
TEMPELMANN-MCZYSKA 1985, 35, Taf.2/108122.
TEMPELMANN-MCZYSKA 1985, 69, Taf.15/403.
20
III
T HE E A R LY M E DIE VA L
C E M E T E RY
III.1. THE STRUCTURE OF THE CEMETERY

As it was shown above (Chapter I) the Early Medieval cemetery is sharply delimited from the
graves dated in the Migration Period, being situated towards SouthEast from these (Pl.5557).
It seems that no connection can be demonstrated between them.
On the basis of the main characteristics (inhumation rite, WestEast orientation of the
graves, presence of grave-goods etc.) the cemetery can be connected to the type of the so-called rowgrave cemeteries (Reihengrberfelder), typical for Western- and Central-Europe in the Merovingian
Period. The graves are arranged in more or less parallel rows orientated NorthSouth.
Unfortunately the dimensions of the cemetery are not known, the plan of the excavation (Pl. 56) suggests that it was partially excavated. On these grounds it can be surely stated
that the northern edge of the necropolis was identied; instead its extension towards south
remainsunsettled.
In the excavated part of the cemetery three cases of superposition were registered:graves
34 and 35, context 39 and grave 41, respectively graves 54 and 58 were intersecting each other.
Unfortunately it is not clearly specied in the documentation what kind of relative chronological
relation can be established between the mentioned features.
III.2. THE POPULATION

Because the cemetery was not entirely excavated the exact number of the buried individuals at Fntnele remains unknown. Another factor which seriously hinders a more thorough
analysis concerning the population which used the cemetery is represented by the high degree
of the disturbed burials which made impossible in the majority of the cases to carry out anthropological investigations.
The age of the deceased persons was established between 910 (grave 38) and over 60 years
(graves 43 and 50)90. It is worth mentioning that the anthropological analysis did not identify any
skeletal material belonging to infants or very young children (Infans I). This phenomenon was
observed also in other contemporary cemeteries91. However, based on the dimensions, graves 30
(1.220.56m) and 46 (1.220.60m) could belong to children died at this age.
90
91

E. g. Galaii Bistriei: HARHOIU 2008, 185; FloretiPolus Center: ROTEA ET ALII 2008, 6263; Hdmezvsrhely
Kishomok: BNA NAGY 2002, 143, Tab. 43. The lack of the infants (so-called Kleinkinderdezit) is
characteristic for the Merovingian Age cemeteries, too. See LOHRKE 2004, 3840 (with further bibliography).
21
III.3. LATER INTERVENTIONS

A constant phenomenon observed in the cemetery is that the human bones were not discovered in anatomical position; instead they were mixed up, indicating a post-burial intervention. A similar situation is characteristic for the whole Merovingian Age Europe. Even if very
frequent, until the present no separate study was dedicated to the phenomenon of the reopening
of the graves in the row-grave cemeteries dating from the Gepidic and Early Avar Period; generally it was treated in a subchapter in the frame of the monographs of dierent sites92. In most of
the cases the authors used the terms grave plundering / looting (Grabraub, Grabplnderung)
or grave disturbing (Grabstrung)93 in order to dene this process. In our opinion terms like
plundering, robbing or looting should be used only in those cases when it is sure that the only
goal of the perpetrators was to take out the precious objects situated in the graves. Taking into
consideration that the mentioned expressions already suggest an interpretation, the much more
neutral terms disturbing and reopening will be used in this volume.
Traces of disturbing could be observed in all the graves excavated at Fntnele; however
the intensity varies from one grave to the other. Taking a general look at the contemporary cemeteries from Transylvania, one can observe that all of them contained disturbed burials in different proportions. For example in the necropolis at Moreti-Hul out of 82 graves 25 were certainly disturbed which means approximately the quarter (25.6%) of the excavated burials94. A
much higher percentage could be observed in the cemetery at Bistria, where out of 60 graves 53
(88.33%) were reopened95. A similarly high proportion was documented in the still unpublished
cemetery at Vlaha-Pad reaching approximately 90% of the total number of the graves96. An even
higher number was registered at Band where all the graves seemed to be reopened97.
Unfortunately, the lack of data regarding the post-burial reopening of the graves discovered
at Fntnele makes the reconstruction and interpretation of the discussed process very dicult.
Neither the pits dug in the moment of the reopening nor the traces of the cons (see below)
were documented properly. Therefore the only certain source is represented by the position of
the bones inside the graves98. On these grounds two main categories can be distinguished (Fig.1):
partially and totally disturbed graves. In the rst category those burials were included which contained at least one bone which was discovered in original position99. The dimensions of the area
aected dier from grave to grave. Generally the activity of reopening the graves concentrated on
the area of the chest and the basin, in many cases also on the surroundings of the skull; therefore
most frequently the legs remained untouched. In the cemetery at Fntnele grave 50 (Pl.29/50/1)
remained the most intact, only the zone of the chest and of the basin, and partially the forearms
were disturbed. Grave 43 (Pl.25/43/1) is also worth mentioning, where the legs, the mandible, the
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
E.g. BNA NAGY 2002, 9093; NAGY 2005b, 140143; FERENCZ NAGY LZRESCU 2009, 425429.
In the case of the row-grave cemeteries excavated in Western-, Northern-, and Central-Europe the terminology is
much more elaborated, see ASPCK 2003, 225226.
The data are based on the grave descriptions given by POPESCU 1974, 214236; the grave discovered at the
control excavations in 1986 was included in the statistics as well (for its description see PROTASE 1999, 266,
Abb.4).
Data based on the grave descriptions given in the publication of the necropolis: GAIU 1992, 115121.
STANCIU ET ALII 2007, 394.
Discussing the problem of the disturbed graves, I. Kovcs mentions only one exception, namely grave 148
(KOVCS 1913, 365) which, on the basis of the description (KOVCS 1913, 347349), probably did not belong
to the Early Medieval necropolis.
The situation is not better in the other Transylvanian cemeteries either, the only ones where the so-called robbing
pit was documented are VlahaPad (STANCIU ET ALII 2007, 394), FloretiPolus Center (FERENCZ NAGY
LZRESCU 2009, 425429, 441454), Cristuru SecuiescPiaa Libertii (KRSFI SZKELY 2007)
and partially Bratei, cemetery no. 3 (BRZU 2010, 1516, Abb.3).
Altogether 16 graves (28.07 %): 6, 16, 18, 21, 22, 24, 25, 29, 31, 37, 43, 47, 50, 56, 57, 64.
22
shoulders, most of the vertebrae, and partially the arms were discovered in anatomical position.
Instead, the skull was found in the centre of the grave. In several cases100 both the skull and the
legs lay (at least partially) in original position, the rest of the body missing or being discovered in
secondary position. To the second category belong those burials where the entire grave was reopened and no bones remained intact. This group can be divided in two: graves including bones in
secondary position and graves without bones (Fig.1).
The complex phenomenon of the disturbed graves raises a series of questions which can hardly
be answered even in the case of the well-documented funerary sites. Such questions are related to
dierent aspects, like the dating of the reopening, the methods used during this process, the identity
of those who committed it, their goals, the objects taken out and left inside the grave etc.
Regarding the methods of the reopening of the graves in most of the cases the starting
point is represented by the position of the disturbed area in comparison to the grave pit. On these
grounds Kroly Sgi established three main methods during the analysis of the Langobard Age
cemetery from Vrs: 1.if the con had been already mouldered the grave pit was completely excavated and the objects were taken out; 2.a smaller shaft was excavated, then the lid of the con
was perforated or broken and the objects were taken out with the help of a long stick-like object
(so-called Hakenberaubung); 3.a bigger pit was dug, afterwards the lid of the con was opened
and the objects were removed101. In his opinion the choice of the applied method depended mainly
on the length of the time passed between the funeral and the reopening of the grave. According
to this, the rst method was used in those situations when the tomb was disturbed after a longer
period compared to the moment of the funeral and the con had already broken, and in consequence it had been lled up with earth. In the case of the second method the time passed between
the moment of the funeral and that of the reopening was shorter, the con being still preserved.
Therefore after the lid had been broken, the vacuum inside the con permitted the perpetrators
to take out the grave-goods using the abovementioned object. The third method was applied at
those graves where the funeral had taken place shortly before their reopening102.
Partially disturbed graves
Totally disturbed graves
Graves without skeleton
43
22
10
13
17
31
11
14
16
19
45
35
41
36
37
25
54
48
39
34
32
20
44
38
33
18
24
42
30
27
23
12
26
21
15
8
9
29
46
53
49
62
63
59
55
50
64
60
51
40
47
65
56
52
57
10 m
58
61
Fig.1.Distribution map of the disturbed graves in the cemetery at Fntnele

100
101
102
Graves 24, 25, 31, 56, 57 (Pl.16/24/1; Pl.17/25/2; Pl.20/31/1; Pl.28/56/1; Pl.31/57/1).
SGI 1964, 391392; this typology was taken over with small modications by ROTH 1978, 6566.
SGI 1964, 392; ROTH 1978, 6566; ASPCK 2003, 242.
23
Due to the lack of observations made on the eld referring both to the later interventions
and the cons it is dicult, if not impossible, to reconstruct the methods applied in the cemetery at Fntnele. It seems very likely that in the case of the totally disturbed graves, when no
bones have left in original position, the rst variant was employed. The majority of the burials
can be included in this category. It is more dicult to identify the second method, taking into
account the already mentioned insuciency of the documentation; however, this does not mean
that it was not used at all. Its application can be presumed in the case of the partially disturbed
graves, even if the existence of a con in these tombs remains uncertain103. This possibility is
supported also by the large-scale employment of this method in the Merovingian Age104. If the
third method was applied at Fntnele cannot be established with certainty. Anyway, such situation can be imagined only in the case of the graves which did not contain any human bones.
As it was already pointed out by Johannes Schneider105, the main deciency of Sgis generally accepted typology is that it refers only to the burials with con, in spite of the fact that the
graves without con were disturbed in the same proportion.
Regarding the identity and the purposes of the perpetrators precious information can be
oered by the objects removed and left behind. From a methodological point of view the identication of the objects which were taken out is more dicult because it is possible only in those
situations when fragments or other strongly related objects remained in the grave. Concerning
the objects which were left in the grave the main question is if they were not picked up intentionally or escaped the perpetrators attention. From this point of view the thorough documentation
of the disturbed area inside the graves is essential, which was not the case at Fntnele. The rst
serious attempt to identify regularities in this phenomenon was made by Helmuth Roth who
concluded that in the case of the female graves the primary purpose of the reopening was to
take out the jewels and the brooches made of precious metals; however, he noticed that many
times one of the four brooches characteristic to the Merovingian Age female dress (the so-called
Vierbeltracht) was intentionally left behind or thrown back in the grave. Generally the two
main weapon types, the spatha and the seax, as well as the components of the belt were removed
from the male graves. In the same time, in his view a few artefact types were intentionally left
or thrown back in the grave, like the already mentioned brooches, the rings and the beads in
the female graves, the spears in the male ones, respectively the bronze vessels106. Later, several
researchers tried to verify Roths results107.
At Fntnele there are a few burials which allow us to draw some cautious conclusions
referring to the objects which were taken out in the moment of their reopening. In this respect
the most important is grave 19 where the small pyramidal strap-retainer indicates certainly that
the deceased was buried together with his sword108. In the totally disturbed grave 48 a gilded ear103
104
105
106
107
108
See for example grave 50 (Pl.29/50/1) which was disturbed only in the area of the chest and the basin; in this
grave also wooden traces were observed which could easily belong to a con.
In Transylvania it seems that a considerable part of the graves excavated in the well documented cemetery at
VlahaPad was reopened with this method. In several cases the robbing pit situated in the area of the chest
stopped on the level of the con. Based on these observations the leader of the excavation concluded that the
con should have been intact in the moment of the reopening of the graves: STANCIU ET ALII 2007, 394.
SCHNEIDER 1983, 120.
ROTH 1977, 287289; ROTH 1978, 6771.
E.g. in the case of Deersheim: SCHNEIDER 1983, 126: among the objects left in the graves noticed the silver
spoons, the vessels made of wood, glass or bronze, and the amulets; regarding the cemetery at Unterthrheim:
GRNEWALD 1988, 3438: mainly the belts, pendants, and brooches were taken out, while the vessels, one of
the brooches, the beads, the spears, more rarely also the seaxes and the shield-bosses were left inside the grave; for
the Langobard Age cemetery at Brunn am Gebirge: ASPCK 2003, 258259: in most of the cases the belt-buckles
were taken out from the male graves, while in the female ones were left inside; otherwise the most important
categories of the removed objects were the brooches, the girdle-hangers, the swords, and the seaxes.
See chapter III.5.2.4.
24
ring was discovered which suggests that its pair was probably taken away. The dierent pieces
belonging to belt-sets are signs for the other elements of the belt which were removed109. It cannot be excluded that the three rivets coming from grave 42 belonged to a small buckle similar to
the one discovered in the same grave.
As it was stressed above, it is dicult to gure out in most of the cases if the discovered
grave-goods were situated in the disturbed area of the graves. According to Helmuth Roth an
important category of artefacts which was often left in the grave is represented by the beads110.
Indeed, beads were found in three disturbed graves at Fntnele, but their reduced number
mainly in graves 6 and 42 suggests rather that the majority of them were taken out111. Regarding
the male graves Roth stated that the spearhead usually remained in the grave112. At Fntnele
two burials contained spearhead, both of them situated in the south-eastern part of the grave;
therefore it is more likely that they were not observed when the tombs were reopened than
the possibility that they were intentionally left inside the grave. Taking a general look on the
archaeological material discovered in the cemetery, one can remark the relatively high number
of the knives and the ceramic vessels in comparison to other artefact categories. The fact that
the pottery was left inside the graves can be assigned partially to the peripheral position of the
vessels (generally near the western end of the grave). However, there are several situations when
the vessel was certainly situated in the disturbed area, often being broken. In these situations
the most likely explication is that the vessel was simply broken in the moment when the robbing pit was excavated or was thrown back in the grave. As far as the documentation permits, it
seems that the majority of the knives were discovered in the disturbed area of the graves. These
observations suggest that the perpetrators were interested neither in the pottery nor in the iron
knives, possibly due to their low material value. This presumption is supported also by other
contemporary cemeteries113.
Based on the observations taken in the course of the eld research, the hypothesis according
to which the reopening of the burials took place shortly after the moment of the funeral became
generally accepted already during the early research114. The main argument to support this theory
was that those who disturbed the graves knew exactly where the precious objects were situated.
As it was already mentioned, Sgi and Roth saw a strong connection between the length of the
period passed between the funeral and the disturbing of the grave and the selected method of the
reopening. This statement presumes that the perpetrators knew exactly the date of the funeral. In
order to verify this hypothesis the best method is to take a look to the placement of the robbing
pits compared to the grave pit. A classication of this relationship was established for the
cemetery 3 at Bratei having important chronological conclusions. Type 1, when the robbing pit
overlapped the grave occurred more often on the edges and in the eastern half of the cemetery,
considered to represent the later phase. In the same time, types 2 (the robbing pit is bigger than
the grave), 3 (the grave is only partially overlapped by the robbing pit), and 4 (the orientation of
the robbing pit and of the grave is dierent) are more characteristic for the western, earlier part
of the necropolis115. On these grounds it seems more plausible that hypothesis according to which
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
E.g. the fragmentary strap-end from grave 61 or the buckle with triangular plate from grave 54.
ROTH 1978, 69.
For a similar opinion see GRNEWALD 1988, 37; ASPCK 2003, 258259.
ROTH 1978, 71.
On the territory of the cemetery at Band four complete vessels (contexts no. 2, 63, 76, and 78) were discovered
between the graves which probably initially belonged to the inventory of the burials and were taken out in the
course of the reopening of the graves: KOVCS 1913, 281, 328, 333.At VlahaPad in several cases in the ll of
the robbing pit ceramic fragments were discovered which initially belonged to other graves: STANCIU ET ALII
2007, 394.
For the history of research see ROTH 1978, 5358.
HARHOIU 2010, 149, Abb.3, Verbreitungskarte 35.
25
the persons who disturbed the graves should not have known necessarily the date of the funeral,
but it was enough if they were aware of the general burial customs of the period116.
Concerning the robbing pits in the cemetery at Fntnele the data provided by the documentation are incomplete. Even if this phenomenon was not documented at all, in a few cases some
preliminary conclusions can be drawn. In several graves steps were observed inside117 which in a few
cases could stay in connection with the reopening of the burials. Such situation can be supposed in
graves 12 (Pl.11/12/1) and 33 (Pl.18/33/1). It seems likely that the small pit containing animal bones
documented in grave 16 (Pl.13/16/1) represents also a shaft of this kind. Unfortunately its exact
position compared to the grave is unknown; it is worth mentioning that its orientation diers from
that of the grave. A similar situation can be presumed in grave 25 (Pl.17/25/1), too. The shape of
graves 49 (Pl.28/49/1) and 57 (Pl.31/57/1) could be of chronological importance. The former one
has in its eastern third a 0.75 m high step which could belong also to the robbing pit. In grave 57
the majority of the bones were discovered in the western end of the tomb, a few of them lying still
in original position. The eastern half widens out, in this area only a few bones were discovered in
secondary position. In these two cases the possibility that the perpetrators did not know the exact
location of the grave cannot be excluded. Possibly initially they started to dig a pit which overlapped
the grave only partially (Harhoiu type 3)118. This could be the explanation also for the unusual form
and dimensions of grave 51 (Pl. 27/51/1) in which no bones were discovered.
Judging after the secondary position of the bones it seems that at Fntnele all the graves
were disturbed after the corpses had been mouldered. What does this mean exactly in years is
dicult to estimate. In the archaeological literature the data referring to the length of this period
varies between 3 and 10/15 years119.
There is another question which can be raised regarding the date of the disturbing, namely
if all the tombs were reopened in the same moment. Analyzing the phenomenon in Avar Age
cemeteries, Kornl Bakay concluded that in those necropolises where a part of the graves
remained undisturbed these can be considered the latest burials120. In any case, it is sure that
more graves were reopened simultaneously. Indications in this direction are represented by
those graves in which, beside the skeleton, other bones were discovered which did not belong
to the burial121. At Fntnele, in grave 36 fragments of two skulls were found; the possibility
that one of them initially did not belong to this burial and was moved there from another grave
during the activity of the reopening cannot be excluded. Other signs for the simultaneous reopening of more graves are the already mentioned ceramic fragments from Vlaha-Pad which
were discovered in dierent graves, but belonged to the same vessel122. In the Late Sarmatian
Hunnic Age cemetery at Madaras there were situations when a common robbing pit was
excavated for two neighbouring graves123.
Another strongly debated aspect concerns the identity of the perpetrators and the reasons of their activity. In order to clarify these reasons a high number of interpretations was
proposed in the archaeological literature124. For a short period in the Romanian research the
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
GRNEWALD 1988, 34; ASPCK 2003, 244.

See chapter III.4.2.2.
Similar situations were observed in the already mentioned cemetery no. 3 at Bratei: HARHOIU 2010, 149, Abb.3,
Verbreitungskarte 5; or in the cemetery dated in the Late Sarmatian Period / Hunnic Age at Madaras: KHEGYI
1980, 20, Abb.45.
BAKAY 1973, 78; GRNEWALD 1988, 3536; ASPCK 2003, 242243.
BAKAY 1973, 7879. It seems that, at least in the cemeteries with a high number of graves, this possibility can be
excluded on statistical grounds, see GRNEWALD 1988, 40.
From the territory of the Gepidic Kingdom an example of this kind is known from grave 103 at Szreg-Tglagyr.
In this grave beside the skeleton two other skull were found:NAGY 2005b, 133.
See note 113.
KHEGYI 1980, 20, Abb.6.
For the dierent possibilities of interpretation see ASPCK 2003, 236239.
26
theory according to which the discussed phenomenon was the result of ritual activities and not
of secondary interventions was quite popular. It was based on the observations made in the cemetery at Cpuu Mare-Cnepite excavated in the early 1950s. The publishers of the cemetery
concluded that during the ritual activities which preceded the funeral the bones of the deceased
were disarticulated and deposited in the grave deliberately in the position in which they were
discovered in the moment of the archaeological excavation125.
Generally the main goal of the reopening of the graves is considered the material interest
as it is shown also by the most frequently used term grave plundering. Joachim Werner stressed
the idea of the crisis of precious metals in the 7th century; in his view this is the reason why in
this period the frequency of the grave disturbance is the highest126. In the same time, Helmuth
Roth saw a connection between the reopening of the graves and the spread of the Christianity.
He based his theory on the observation according to which the objects with Christian character
were usually left inside the grave representing a taboo. In his opinion with the wider distribution of Christianity the mentality also changed, taking into consideration that in the Christian
view the deceased person does not need any grave-good to enter in the other world; therefore
the custom of the grave reopening became legitimate127. According to another hypothesis the
cemeteries could be disturbed in chaotic or war periods when the laws could not be applied
anymore and the communities were not able to protect the burials of their own deceased members128. Several scholars tried to connect the moment of the reopening to political events129. For
the moment there is no reason to make such a connection; it seems more likely that the reopening of the graves represented a continuous process which was carried out with the knowledge
of the community130.
Of course, the secondary reopening of the graves could also have ritual causes, like the protection from the return of the deceaseds soul or the performing of post-burial ritual ceremonies etc.131.
Such ritual processes were supposed mainly in the case of the male burials, taking into account that
these contained less pieces made of precious metals. Because of the lower material value the act of
taking out weapons, rst of all swords, could have had a ritual meaning, too132. On the other hand,
on the basis of the more expensive raw material of the brooches and jewels, in the case of the female
burials mainly the material interest was emphasized133. However, the more precious raw material
does not exclude a symbolic meaning of the elements of the female costume134. In several cemeteries regularities were identied regarding the position of the bones inside the grave. These observa125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
RUSSU ROTH 1956, 2734; a shorter variant of this hypothesis was already included in the archaeological
report appeared four years earlier, see AEZRI SLAVE 1952, 314317.The theory of the corpses chopped before
the funeral had already been known in the European literature before the excavations at Cpuu Mare due to
Eduard Beningers activity who explained this ritual with the reversed world concept of the Germanic tribes, see
BENINGER 1940, 857.
WERNER 1953, 7.
ROTH 1977, 289290; ROTH 1978, 74; for the critique of the theory see STEUER 1998, 519520.
MLLER 1976, 125.
E.g. in the case of the Langobard Age cemeteries from the Vienna Basin it was supposed by Joachim Werner that
they were disturbed by the Slavs which appeared in the area after the Langobards moved out: WERNER 1962,
113.Later, Herbert Mitscha-Mrheim had the same opinion regarding the mentioned region, while in the case
of Pannonia he believed that the Avars were those who disturbed the Langobard necropolises: BENINGER
MITSCHA-MRHEIM 1966, 170. In contrast, Istvn Bna emphasized the role of the Langobards in this activity,
in his view they were those who reopened the graves of their own cemeteries shortly before moving away: BNA
1993, 124125.
SCHNEIDER 1983, 128; GRNEWALD 1988, 40; STEUER 1998, 519.
For a general overview see ASPCK 2003, 231235.Regarding the material from Transylvania the possibility of the
ritual reopening was suggested in connection with grave 4 from Fntnele, see CRIAN OPREANU 1991, 113.
ROTH 1978, 73.
ROTH 1978, 74.
GRNEWALD 1988, 42; ASPCK 2003, 263.
27
tions made possible the interpretation of the reopening of the graves as a conscious ritual act of the
community135 . This hypothesis is supported also by ethnographical analogies.136
Summing up, the incomplete documentation of the cemetery at Fntnele impedes seriously the detailed interpretation of the disturbed graves. On the basis of the position of the
bones it seems probable that the reopening of the graves was carried out shortly after the
moment of the funeral, but after a period long enough for the corpses to moulder away. Due to
this activity the inventory of the cemetery is pretty poor which let us presume that the original number of the male burials with weapons and of female burials containing jewellery was
considerably higher.
III.4. BURIAL CUSTOMS

III.4.1. Orientation
Similar to the general burial customs of the Merovingian row-grave cemeteries from
Western and Central Europe137 as well as to the ones from the Tisza-region and Transylvania138,
the graves from the necropolis at Fntnele are oriented more or less WE. Of course, dierent variations could be observed. Only one tomb was perfectly WE oriented (grave 34), while
graves 29 and 30 had WNWESE orientation. The rest of the graves show deviations of dierent
degree towards the WSWENE direction (Fig.2). These small deviations could represent the differences between the seasons when the funerals took place or could be explained by small human
errors in the identication of the cardinal points.
Fig.2.Orientation of the graves in the cemetery at Fntnele

135
136
137
138
ZBOJNK 1997, 78-79; OPREANU 2003, 5672; for examples from the area of the Masomcz group see
KOKOWSKI 1992.
OPREANU 2003, 66-70.
AMENT 2003, 362.
CSALLNY 1961, 296; NAGY 1993, 60.
28
III.4.2. The graves

III.4.2.1. Dimensions, depth, and shape of the graves
The exact dimensions and the shape of the graves were precisely documented in each
case. A problem which rises during the interpretation is related to the post-burial activities,
namely in what measure the dimensions and the shape of the graves were aected by the later
interventions. The dimensions of the grave pits were probably directly related to the height of
the persons which were buried in them; however, it is likely that other criteria were taken into
consideration as well. The length of the burial pits varies between 1.22 m (graves 30 and 46)
and 2.85 m (grave51), while the width oscillates between 0.56 m (grave 30) and 1.44 m (grave
60)139. Of course, the smallest graves belonged to children; however, a sharp delimitation of
the children and adult burials is not possible since an anthropological analysis was not possible
in all the cases.
For calculating the depth of the graves the dierence between the level of identication
and the bottom of the grave (both given in the documentation in values measured from the surface) was taken into consideration. In this way the depth of the graves varies between 0.12 m
(grave 10) and 1.45 m (grave 51). Taking a look on the plan of the cemetery it can be observed
that the majority of the graves deeper than 1 meter are situated in the eastern part of the excavated area (Fig.3). In this phenomenon the erosion could have an important role, taking into
account that the less deep graves lay closer to the top of the hill (Pl.57).
The shape of the graves is quite varied. The majority of them are rectangular with rounded
corners or oval. Beside these basic forms graves with irregular shape also occur.
Graves with depth between 0.12 and 0.50 m
43
22
10
13
17
14
32
20
35
41
36
16
19
39
34
25
10 m
37
54
48
45
33
31
44
38
18
24
11
42
30
27
23
12
26
21
15
8
9
29
46
53
49
58
62
63
59
55
50
64
60
51
40
47
65
56
52
57
61
Fig.3.The depth of the graves in the cemetery at Fntnele
III.4.2.2. Interior structures
In 28 graves140 (49.12%) one or more steps were observed during the excavation; in comparison with the contemporary cemeteries their number is conspicuously high. It cannot be
excluded that a few of them were articial steps left by the archaeologists, mainly if we take into
139
140
In these values were included neither the partially excavated graves nor contexts 20 and 39 which represent
special cases, see chapter III.4.6.3.
Graves 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 24, 25, 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, 37, 40, 41, 48, 49, 50, 53, 54, 57, 59, 61.
29
account the section drawing of grave 19 (Pl.15/19/2)141 where the lines marked as steps on the
plan of the grave show rather the slope of the grave walls than real steps. On the other hand, due
to the fact that the activities which took place after the burials were not documented at all, it is
not clear in what measure this phenomenon can be connected to the reopening of the graves142.
The steps are situated generally along the long edges of the graves; their height measured from the bottom of the grave varies between 0.08 m (grave 30 belonging to a child) and
0.80m (grave 37). Steps along the long edges of the graves are quite usual in the cemeteries from
Pannonia in the Langobard Period. Characteristic for these graves is a relative large burial pit
which at a certain depth becomes much narrower and goes deeper in the centre of the grave. In
this shaft was deposited the deceased generally in a con or other wooden burial structure. For
this grave type the term Absatzgrab was accepted in the case of the cemetery at Szld where it
was the dominant burial form143. It is known also from several other cemeteries from Pannonia
dated in the Langobard Period144 as well as from Merovingian sites from WesternEurope145. At
Fntnele such structure could be presumed only in those cases when there are two steps being
situated along the northern and the southern edges of the grave. This kind of situation occurs
relative rarely (graves 7, 11, 35, 37, 41, 53); their interpretation as Absatzgrber is quite dicult,
given the low height of the steps.
From the cemeteries in the Tisza-region dated in the Gepidic Period very few cases are
known when steps were identied inside the graves. At HdmezvsrhelyKishomok in ve
graves (56, 64, 65, 67, 72) the burial pit became shorter and narrower slightly above the bottom146. This phenomenon was interpreted as the mark of the con, even if no wooden traces
were observed147. The regular form and the small height of the steps around the edges of the
graves (varying between 0.05 and 0.15m) make this presumption plausible. At Fntnele such
interpretation cannot be excluded in the case of a few burials.
Graves with steps inside, similar to the ones from Fntnele are known mainly from the Early
Avar Period148. Their height and position inside the grave varies and therefore it seems dicult to
determine their functionality. Anyway, they represent more convincing analogies for the situations
documented at Fntnele than the ones from Pannonia and the Tisza-region dated before the Avar
conquest in the Carpathian Basin. In a few cases it can be presumed that they served as a shaft for
the con. Due to the insuciency of information regarding the burial customs in the contemporary cemeteries from Transylvania there are known extremely few graves with steps from this
region: they can be supposed in two cases in the cemetery at Galaii Bistriei-La Hrube149.
In three cases the steps served as support for the deposited vessels. In graves 7 and 32 the
pottery was positioned in the south-western corner of the grave, while in grave 49 it was placed
on the eastern end of the step situated along the northern wall of the grave. Similar situations
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
Unfortunately for the rest of the graves there are no section drawings at our disposal.
A connection between the two phenomena can be presumed in the case of graves 12 and 57 (Pl.11/12/1; Pl.31/57/1).
FREEDEN VIDA 2007, 368; FREEDEN 2008, 401402.
For example: Vrs, graves 19, 20, 21: SGI 1964, 374377, Abb.19, Abb.22; The new corpus of the Langobard
Age cemeteries from Western-Hungary showed that the Absatzgrab was one of the most popular burial type,
which appears almost in each cemetery: HegykMez utca, KajdacsHomokbnya, Kdrtargemez,
KpolnsnykKastlykert, Rcalmsjtelep, SzentendrePannoniatelep: BNA HORVTH 2009, Abb.15,
28, 30, 38, 43, 51, 55, 60, 70, 71, 73, 74, 86, 95.
For a general discussion of their distribution in the Merovingian Period see FREEDEN VIDA 2007, 368.
BNA NAGY 2002, 57, 5962, Abb.26/56, Abb.28/64, 65, Abb.29/67, Abb.30/72.
BNA NAGY 2002, 57.
See for example the grave-group no. IX at KlkedFeketekapu B: KISS 2001, 262; Zamrdi-Rtifldek, graves
82, 187, 264, 280, 283, 291, 297, 320, 1163, 1222, 1389: BRDOS GARAM 2009, Abb. 4/82, Abb. 11/187,
Abb.1213, Abb.35/1163, 1222, Abb.44/1389; Hajdnns, graves 3, 5, 8, 12, 15: RCZ SZENTHE 2009, 324,
4.kp/3, 5.kp/5, 8, 9. kp, 10. kp/15.
Graves 19 and 20: HARHOIU 2008, 184.
30
were documented in other cemeteries of the period, too, like Carei-Kozrd, grave 6/1996 and
probably grave 4/1996150, Galaii BistrieiLa Hrube, graves 7, 8, and 13151 or Brateicemetery
no. 3, graves 30, 166, and 222152.
In graves 49 and 50 slabs of sandstone were discovered being arranged one near the other. In
grave 50 (Pl.29/50/1) these were situated in the eastern half of the grave pit, next to the southern
wall. They were lying approximately 0.77 m above the bottom of the tomb which possibly indicates
a secondary position. In grave 49 (Pl.28/49/1) the slabs were situated on the bottom of the grave,
in its western end, so in this case an intentional arrangement seems probable. Taking into consideration that in this area should have been situated the skull (which disappeared completely due to
the reopening of the grave), it can be presumed that the head of the deceased was lain on this bed
made of sandstone slabs. It seems that the edges of grave 29 were marked with stone slabs.
III.4.3. The position of the skeletons
Because of all the graves of the cemetery were disturbed, there are only few data regarding
the original position of the skeletons. Such information is provided by the partially disturbed
graves where dierent parts of the skeleton remained untouched. The picture is quite homogeneous: like in the other contemporary cemeteries the corpses were laid on their back with the
head towards west. Sometimes the skull was slightly turned; the legs were stretched parallel one
to the other. Only in the case of grave 21 (Pl.13/21/1) was attested another position of the legs,
namely they were crossing each other. Regarding the position of the arms, which generally is the
most varied in this period, there is no information due to the fact that the area of the arms was
generally aected by the post-burial activities.
III.4.4. Double burials (?)
There are two graves in the cemetery at Fntnele which could represent double burials.
According to the anthropological analysis the skeletal material coming from grave 21 contained
the remains of two persons: a male and a female adult153. The written and the drawn record
of the excavation indicate a partially disturbed burial with only one skeleton laid on its back
(Pl.13/21/1). Therefore it is not clear enough whether the presence of the bones belonging to
the second skeleton are the results of the later interventions or the bones were mixed up in the
deposit of the Institute of Archaeology and Art History, Cluj-Napoca. In any case, on the basis
of the documentation it seems improbable that grave 21 was a double burial. This possibility
is supported neither by the dimensions of the grave pit (2.220.65m). Grave 36 (Pl.21/36/1)
contained skull fragments belonging to two dierent individuals. The tomb was completely disturbed, apart from the skull fragments only a few bones were recovered. According to the documentation both of the skulls belonged to children154. There are two possibilities to interpret
this burial:either only one of the skulls belonged to the grave, the other one being moved from
another tomb in the moment of the reopening of the graves or it represents a disturbed double
burial. The insucient data regarding to this grave makes impossible to conrm any of the proposed hypothesises. Taking into account the small dimensions of the grave pit (1.760.71m) a
double burial would be possible only if the two children were very young. Double burials were
discovered in several contemporary cemeteries155, their proportion being generally low.
150
151
152
153
154
155
STANCIU IERCOAN 2003, 140141, 148149.

HARHOIU 2008, 184, Abb.10/B.
BRZU 2010, 25.
The skulls could not be identied in the Institute of Archaeology and Art History, thus an anthropological analysis
was not possible.
E.g. Nolac: RUSU 1962, 270; Bistria: GAIU 1992, 121; VlahaPad: STANCIU ET ALII 2007, 394; Bratei,
cemetery no. 3: BRZU 2010, 1819, Abb.5.
31
III.4.5. Coffins
In several graves wooden traces of dierent form were registered in the documentation.
The question if these belonged to a con remains unanswered. The existence of a con can be
presumed mainly in those tombs where the wooden traces were preserved in a relatively regular
line parallel to the edges of the grave. Such traces were identied in graves 14, 37, 45, 47, 49, 50,
59, and 60. The most massive wooden traces were observed in grave 53, probably belonging to a
child. In this case it is sure that the deceased was buried in a con, possibly formed of a hollow
tree trunk, or another timber structure.
The custom of burying the deaths in cons is a general characteristic of the row-grave
cemeteries both in the Gepidic and the Avar Period. The frequency of the graves with con varies from one site to the other, but the general picture shows a quite low proportion156. On the
other hand, these observations are quite distorted due to the numerous excavations without an
accurate documentation. Therefore it is very likely that the number of the burials with con is
considerably higher than it had been thought before157.
III.4.6. Animal bones
III.4.6.1. Animal bones in human graves
Five human graves contained fragmentary animal bones, all of them in secondary position.
Since these were not identied in the deposit of the Institute of Archaeology and Art History, ClujNapoca, an archaeozoological analysis was not possible. Therefore, the evaluation of the graves
in question can be realized only on the basis of the written and drawn documentation. According
to this, a horse mandible was found in grave 25 (Pl.17/25/1) being situated around 0.36 m higher
than the bottom of the grave. As the human skeleton, which lay on the bottom of the grave shows,
the burial was disturbed in the area between the shoulders and the knees. It is dicult to decide
whether the horse mandible was situated in the disturbed area or was discovered in its original
position. Similar situations were registered in the cemetery at Bistria where in grave 32, belonging to a child, a horse mandible was discovered. On the basis of the description it seems that the
grave was undisturbed, which means that in the grave no other horse bones were deposited in
the moment of the funeral. Unfortunately the exact position of the mandible inside the grave is
not clear enough158. Grave 35 from the same necropolis contained also a horse mandible. The
burial belonged to a man and was disturbed159; therefore, the question if it initially contained other
parts of the horse as well, remains unsettled. The custom of burying only the skull, the mandible
or one or more teeth of the horse is known also in the Merovingian cemeteries160. A horse skull
was also discovered in grave 2 from the Gepidic Age cemetery at HdmezvsrhelyKishomok161.
The phenomenon occurs also in the Avar Period, for example in grave 73 at OroshzaBke Tszhomokbnya belonging to a child, in which a mandible of a horse was found162.
In graves 13, 16, and 61 (Pl.11/13/1; Pl.13/16/1; Pl.32/61/1) dierent animal bones were
identied which cannot be determined. In all the three cases the animal bones come from the
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
For the Tisza-region see BNA NAGY 2002, 168, Tab. 11.
BNA NAGY 2002, 83.Recent, still unpublished excavations in Transylvania attested that cons were used
more often in this region as well, even if the exact proportion of the graves with cons is not known yet, see e.g.
VlahaPad:STANCIU ET ALII 2007, 394; FloretiPolus Center: ROTEA ET ALII 2008, 62.
GAIU 1992, 118.
GAIU 1992, 118.
Michael MllerWille counted 26 sites from Western and Central Europe containing graves with horse skull,
other seven cemeteries which had graves with horse mandible and 12 having graves with horse teeth:MLLER
WILLE 19701971, 130, Abb.7.
BNA NAGY 2002, 42.
JUHSZ 1995, 82, Abb.20/73.
32
ll of the disturbed graves, in consequence their interpretation is uncertain. It is worth mentioning that grave 13 lay near grave 15 which contained only animal bones (see below) and was also
disturbed. Because of this situation the possibility that the animal bone and tooth found in grave
13 originally belonged to grave 15 and was moved in the course of the simultaneous reopening of
the two burials should be seriously taken into consideration. In grave 60 (Pl.33/60/1) two small
animal bones were discovered which probably belonged to a fowl. In the grave no human bone
was found, only wooden traces were identied belonging probably to a con. It seems likely
that the skeleton was removed when the tomb was reopened. If so, the animal bones can be
interpreted as a food oering. In the contemporary cemeteries from Transylvania animal bones
discovered in human graves are known e.g. from ve graves in the cemetery no. 3 at Bratei163 and
from grave 6/1996 at CareiKozrd164. Such situations were identied quite rare in the Gepidic
Age165; instead in the Avar Period they occur more frequently166. It is worth mentioning that
the cemetery 3 at Bratei can be dated generally in the Early Avar Period, too167. Concerning
the graves from CareiKozrd, Ioan Stanciu drew the attention that, beside the presence of the
animal remains, a few categories of artefacts, like the hand-made pottery or the beads show
strong connections with the Early Avar material, even if a very close dating is impossible due to
the small number of the excavated graves168. The grave-goods coming from the abovementioned
burials from Fntnele do not oer the possibility of a closer chronological interpretation.
III.4.6.2. Animal grave
The only case when a complete animal was buried is represented by grave 15 (Pl.13/15/1).
It was totally disturbed, all the bones were discovered in secondary position and the skull was
missing. No human bones were found in this tomb. Since no archaeozoological analysis could
be carried out, there is no information regarding to the species to which the animal from grave
15 belonged. On the grounds of the contemporary analogies a horse burial can be presumed.
Animal bones in human grave
Animal grave
Pit with animal bones
43
22
10
13
17
14
32
20
35
41
36
16
19
39
34
25
10 m
37
54
48
45
33
31
44
38
18
24
11
42
30
27
23
12
26
21
15
8
9
29
46
53
49
58
62
63
59
55
50
64
60
51
40
47
65
56
52
57
61
Fig.4.Distribution map of the animal bones in the cemetery at Fntnele

163
164
165
166
167
168
BRZU 2010, 37, Verbreitungskarte 20.

STANCIU IERCOAN 2003, 149.
CSALLNY 1961, 290; BNA NAGY 2002, 93.
For instance, in the cemetery at Alattyn out of 708 burials in 297 were discovered animal bones: KOVRIG 1963, 74.
BRZU 2010, 139148; HARHOIU 2010, 153158.
STANCIU IERCOAN 2003, 146.
33
Such situations were documented at Bratei, cemetery no. 3 and Nolac. In both of them the graves
including a complete horse skeleton were characterized by inverse orientation in comparison to the
human burials, i.e. EW, and represented the latest phase of the mentioned necropolises169. Due
to the secondary position of the bones, in the case of grave 15 from Fntnele it cannot be decided
whether it was oriented WSWENE or ENEWSW. The topographical position of the grave could
be of relative chronological importance, taking into account that it was discovered on the northern
edge of the cemetery (Fig.4). It seems likely that it formed a pair with grave 13 which lay next to it.
III.4.6.3. Contexts 20 and 39
Among the graves including animal bones contexts no. 20 and 39 represent special cases.
Both of them had circular/oval shape and contained only a skull of an animal (deer, respectively
cattle), without any human remains. Because of their unusual rite their belonging to the cemetery is doubtful; it seems more likely that they can be interpreted rather sacricial pits than real
graves. They are more or less integrated in the structure of the cemetery (mainly context 20);
however, in the case of context 39 and grave 41 a superposition was observed. Unfortunately,
it is not clear in the documentation which feature did cut through the other, thus their correct
chronological order cannot be established. In the same time, the possibility that this situation
stays in connection with the reopening of the graves cannot be excluded.
Due to the lack of any related nd170, it is dicult to date the two archaeological features
in question. In any case, such pits are not characteristic at all for the period when the cemetery
from Fntnele was in use. Instead, similar phenomena, when animals or parts of them were
buried in separate pits, were registered in earlier periods. Several cases are known from the
Iron Age, being discovered in cemeteries or settlements and their surroundings171. They occur
also in sites from the Barbaricum both in the Roman Imperial Age and the Early Migration
Period. In the Sarmatian milieu most frequent are the pits containing dog skeletons172, but
there are known some exceptions, too. For example, at the nd-spot Gyoma 133, in feature
no. 27, having a circular shape, a skeleton of a child was discovered, and underneath, on the
bottom of the pit, parts of an ox (including the skull) were lying173. Pits with entire or partial animal skeletons are characteristic also for the Germanic sites of the period in Central
and Eastern-Europe174. These traditions continue also in the Hunnic Age, as it is attested for
example by feature 118 discovered at TiszadobSziget175. In the same period can be placed the
discoveries from ArchiudHnsuri176 and StupiniFnaele Archiudiului177, situated close to
Fntnele from geographical point of view.
In Merovingian cemeteries similar pits to the ones discovered at Fntnele are extremely
rare. On a few sites pits with circular/oval shape containing horse skulls and legs were discovered178.
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
For the horse burials from Bratei 3 see BRZU 2010, 3741, Verbreitungskarte 20; for the horse burials from
Nolac see RUSU 1962, 270, 291292; RUSU 1964, 36, 4345; for a more detailed discussion of the graves including complete horse skeletons from the row-grave cemeteries in Transylvania see DOBOS 2010/2011, 383384.
According to the documentation in context no. 20 a small ceramic fragment was discovered which could not be
identied in the deposit of the Institute of Archaeology and Art History, Cluj-Napoca.
SRBU 1993.
Pits with dog skeletons are known both from the cemeteries and settlements: KULCSR 1998, 72; ISTVNOVITS
1999, 177.
It was interpreted as a foreign, probably Dacian element: VADAY 1997, 7879, 9. kp.
BEMMANN 2008, 148, Fig.8; From the territory of the Sntana de Mure / Marosszentanna-ernjachov culture
a pit containing the skull of an ox (pit no. 12) comes from Mihleni: OVAN 2009, 146, Pl.292/G12.
ISTVNOVITS 1999, 177178, Fig.9.
GAIU 1999b, 271276, Fig. XXIXXII.
GAIU 2004.
For example three such pits are known form the periphery of the cemetery at Oberwerschen: SCHMIDT 1961,
8586, Abb.47; for their distribution see MLLERWILLE 19701971, Abb.7.
34
They were interpreted mainly as sacricial pits rather than horse burials and were connected to
the Imperial Age and Migration Period traditions179.
The deposition of deer is also an almost unknown phenomenon in the Merovingian Period;
such situations were registered only in exceptional cases, like Mosonszentjnos, grave 14 180 and
Basel-Bernerring, grave 44181. On these ground the belonging of the two discussed contexts from
Fntnele to the Early Medieval cemetery can be seriously questioned.
III.4.7. Empty graves
In the cemetery at Fntnele two completely empty graves (33 and 51) were discovered
(Pl.18/33/1; Pl.27/51/1). To these it adds grave 34 (Pl. 21/34/1) which contained only a handmade ceramic fragment and a small trace of wood. On its eastern end the tomb intersected grave
35; unfortunately, the relative chronological relation between the two is unclear. Other four
graves did not contain any human bone; instead dierent types of grave-goods were discovered
in them. Both in grave 7 (Pl.9/7/1) and 23 (Pl.16/23/1) a ceramic vessel was found, while in grave
27 (Pl.18/27/1) an oval buckle, a knife, and a circular ring was discovered. Grave 60 (Pl.33/60/1)
contained only animal bones, probably belonging to a fowl (see above) as well as wooden traces,
probably coming from a con.
Recently the burials without skeletons were analyzed by the publishers of the graves from
Floreti-Polus Center who suggested a few possibilities in order to explain the phenomenon in
question: the complete decomposition of the bones due to the acidity of the soil; symbolic burials
(cenotaphs); dierent dating; later interventions182. Taking into consideration that at Fntnele
all the graves were disturbed and in numerous burials only few small bone fragments survived,
the possibility that the features without any human skeletal material are the results of this postburial activity seems the most plausible.
III.5. ANALYSIS OF GRAVE-GOODS

Due to the high proportion of the disturbed graves the number of the discovered gravegoods in the cemetery is very low. Taking this into consideration, as well as the fact that only in
a few cases was it possible to carry out anthropological analysis, the dierent artefact categories
will be presented for the entire cemetery, without dividing them on the basis of gender and age.
III.5.1. Personal ornaments and jewellery
III.5.1.1. Earrings
Only three earrings were discovered in the cemetery, coming from two dierent graves. All
of them belong to the same type, namely to the so-called horn-shaped earrings characterized by
open and thin endings and thicker middle part. Even if not very frequent, it represents one of the
most common types identied on Gepidic Age sites183. The horn-shaped earrings can be traced
back to a 5th century prototype and remained in use during the whole Gepidic Age reaching also
the Early Avar Period184.
The pair discovered in grave 59 (Pl.32/59/23) belongs to the simplest undecorated variant, while the gilded earring from grave 48 (Pl. 27/48/2) is decorated with parallel incised
lines. As Attila Kiss pointed out, none of the pieces datable to the Gepidic Age or earlier show
179
180
181
182
183
184
SCHMIDT 1961, 8687; MLLER-WILLE 19701971, 132, 180185; OEXLE 1984, 144145.
PUSZTAI TOMKA 1968, 134.
MARTIN 1976, 133135, 312, 397, Abb.45.
FERENCZ NAGY LZRESCU 2009, 426427.
For their distribution see CSEH 1990, 54, 17.lista, XVII. trkp; KISS 1992, 69, Liste 8, Karte 8.
KISS 1992, 52; KISS 1996, 194.It is worth mentioning that their distribution in the Early Avar Period shows a
concentration in Transdanubia and Transylvania, see KISS 1992, 6869, Liste 7, Karte 7.
35
any ornament, in the same time in the Early Avar Period the decorated version is dominant185.
Therefore the simple variant from grave 59 can be dated only in a larger period, between the
5th century and the Early Avar Age. Taking into consideration the general chronological framing of the cemetery from Fntnele, as well as the position of the grave inside the necropolis, a
later dating in the period between the middle of the 6th century and the rst half of the next one
seems more probable.
As it was mentioned above, the decorated horn-shaped earrings are dated exclusively in the
Early Avar Period and therefore a similar chronological position can be accepted also in the case
of the piece discovered in grave 48.Concerning the decoration, the closest analogies are known
from KlkedFeketekapu A, grave 142186 and Band, grave 11 and 29187. The earrings from Band
were thought to represent the transition between the simple version from the Gepidic Period
and the decorated one from the Early Avar Period by Attila Kiss188. However, the grave-goods
discovered in grave 29 (so-called stylus pin, leg garter, rectangular belt mounts with punched
decoration etc.189) rather suggest a dating in the Early Avar Period.
III.5.1.2. Beads
Beads were identied in three graves belonging to the cemetery. Unfortunately all of them
were disturbed, fact that impedes the exact reconstruction of the original strings and, respectively, the combination of the dierent bead types. In the case of graves 6 and 42 the beads
were situated in the area of the skull. Their reduced number (three pieces in both of the assemblages) suggests that originally a greater number of beads belonged to the inventory and that,
very probably, the rest of them were taken out when the graves were reopened. The beads in
grave 40, higher in number, were discovered in one place, on the bottom of the grave, together
with human teeth.
Even if very much needed, due to the important chronological data oered, an elaborated
typological system for the beads discovered in the Carpathian Basin in the period before the Avar
Age does not exist. The situation is dierent for the Early and Middle Avar Period thanks to the
typo-chronological analysis of the beads undertaken by Adrien Psztor190.
All the beads from Fntnele belong to well-known types of the period. Grave 40 contained only monochrome beads of simple form (Pl.22/40/2; Pl.37/7). Two of them have bigger dimensions, displaying a longish globular shape and a dark grey colour. Such beads are
common in the Early Avar Period191, in Transylvania they appear in a relative high number
in cemetery 3 at Bratei192. In the same grave a double bead was also found, unfortunately in a
very poor state of preservation, as well as two small green beads. The rest of the pieces are of
attened globular shape and have a dark grey colour. Two yellow beads identied in grave 6
(Pl.8/6/34) belong to the same category as well. The simple or double monochrome beads
of globular or attened globular shape, represent one of the most frequent categories of the
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
KISS 1992, 52; KISS 1996, 194.Of course near the decorated horn-shaped earrings also the simple ones continued to be produced in the Early Avar Period, see for example the pieces from Band, grave 72 and 86 (KOVCS
1913, 52.kp/2; 56.kp/2); UnireaVeremort, grave 14 (ROSKA 1934, Abb.4/E.2); Nolac, grave 108 (RUSU
1964, Pl. I/15); ZamrdiRtifldek, grave 350, 1061, 1276, 1377 (BRDOS GARAM 2009, Taf. 40/350.3,
Taf.119/1061.4, Taf.143/1276.3, Taf.156/1377.1).
KISS 1996, Taf.41/A 142.4, Taf.131/3.
KOVCS 1913, 19. kp/23; 30. kp/11.
KISS 1992, 5253; KISS 1996, 194.
For the complete inventory of the grave see KOVCS 1913, 308311, 2930. kp, 32.kp/1.
For the methodological grounds of the typology of the beads from the Avar Period see PSZTOR 1996a;
PSZTOR 1997.
They can be connected to the undecorated variant of Psztors group 1: PSZTOR 1996b, 38, 1.tbla/1.11.6.
BRZU 2010, 82, Abb.48.
36
period both before and after the Avar conquest. In the Early Avar Period they were connected
to the Germanic traditions of the Carpathian Basin as well as to the Merovingian inuences
coming from the West193.
The black bead with four white protuberances from grave 6 (Pl.8/6/2) belongs to the
category of the so-called Augenperlen. Such beads can be considered one of the most characteristic artefacts of the Early Avar Age, being attested in the Carpathian Basin already in the
6th century194. Concerning their form and colour, a great variety can be observed, the protuberances are often combined with other decorative motifs. Their presence in the Early Avar
Period in Transylvania was attested on a few sites195, the highest number being discovered at
Bratei, cemetery no. 3196.
The beads discovered in grave 42 belong to common types, too. Undecorated cylindrical
beads (Pl.23/42/5; Pl.38/3) are known from several contemporary cemeteries. The brownish
bead decorated with crossing wavy lines (Pl.23/42/4; Pl.38/4) belongs to a characteristic type
of the Early Avar Period, displaying a great variety of colours. This kind of ornament is often
combined with other decorative elements. The type is well-known also in the Merovingian cemeteries197 where it can be chronologically framed in the period beginning with the second half of
the 6th century until the beginning of the 7th century. For the pieces discovered in the Carpathian
Basin a similar dating can be accepted198.
Summing up, the beads from the cemetery at Fntnele belong to well-known types of the
6th7th centuries, the majority being already in use in the Gepidic Period. Due to the lack of data
concerning the original composition of the bead strings, a closer dating is impossible; however
the pieces from graves 6 and 42 suggest a dating in the Early Avar Period.
III.5.1.3. Buckles and belt accessories
A number of 14 buckles, discovered in 11 graves (18.64% of the burials), are known from
the cemetery (Fig.5). Out of them ve are made of copper alloy and nine of iron. The buckle
found in grave 14 could not be identied in the storage room of the Institute of Archaeology and
Art History, but according to the documentation it was made of wood and was discovered in a
very poor state of preservation. Taking into account the high proportion of the disturbed graves,
it seems very probable that a considerable amount of buckles was taken out during these activities, their initial number being much higher.
Only three graves contained two buckles: grave 26 (one made of copper alloy, the other
one made of iron), grave 56 (both made of iron), and grave 6 (both made of copper alloy). In
the case of graves 26 and 56 the nd-circumstances do not allow any conclusion regarding their
functionality and only the dimensions could oer some interpretation possibilities (see below).
The position of the two small buckles inside grave 6 shows with certainty that they were part of
a set for leg garters (see Chapter III.5.1.4).
From typological point of view (Fig.6) most of the buckles, seven in number (grave 16,
17, 26 two pieces, 27 and 56 two pieces), belong to the category of the simple undecorated
oval buckles (group I). The only one made of copper alloy (one of the pieces from grave 26) is
the smallest, having a diameter of 2.55cm. The other pieces are made of iron and are somewhat
193
194
195
196
197
198
PSZTOR 2001, 138139; PSZTOR 2008, 315.

PSZTOR 1996a, 206207; PSZTOR 1996b, 48; PSZTOR 2008, 313.
E.g. Gmba, grave 13, Rodbav: HOREDT 1958b, Fig.16/18, Fig.18/1415; Nolac, grave 85: RUSU 1964, Pl.I/26;
Corneti: PALK 1973, Pl.I/1.
BRZU 2010, 8392, Abb.49, Abb.52.
Group 34 in U. Kochs typology: KOCH U. 1997, 146, Taf.10; see also KOCH U. 2001, 610613, Farbtaf. 6.
PSZTOR 2001, 142; PSZTOR 2008, 314; In the analyses of the bead nds from Eichstetten and Weingarten
they were considered typical for the combination groups E and F dated approx. 610650/70: SASSE THEUNE
1996, 212215, 221, Abb.1516.
37
larger, their diameter varying between 3 and 3.9cm. An exception is represented by one of the
buckles found in grave 56 (Pl.28/56/5) and the one from grave 17 (Pl.14/17/2) which have bigger
diameter (between 5 and 6cm). Unfortunately, their exact dimensions are unknown due to their
fragmentary and poor state of preservation.
Group I
Group II
Group III
Group IV
43
22
10
13
17
14
32
20
35
41
36
16
19
39
34
25
37
54
48
45
33
31
44
38
18
24
11
42
30
27
23
12
26
21
15
8
9
29
46
53
49
58
62
63
59
55
50
64
60
51
40
47
57
10 m
65
56
52
61
Fig.5.Distribution map of the buckles in the cemetery at Fntnele
In group I A those pieces were included which belong to group I of the oval iron buckles
according to Margit Nagys typology, established on the analysis of the material coming from
the cemetery at HdmezvsrhelyKishomok199. Even if fragmentary, it seems that the big
buckle from grave 17 (Pl.14/17/2) had a D-shaped form; therefore it was included in another
subgroup (I B)200. More unusual is the small buckle discovered in grave 56 (Pl.28/56/4) with
its kidney-shaped ring (I C). Its small dimensions, as well as the fact that in the same grave
another, much larger buckle was found, suggest that it served as a buckle of a secondary belt
(e.g. weapon-belt) or for suspension. The oval buckles were in use beginning with the 4th
century and were distributed in large areas of Europe. They were identied in the Gepidic
Period cemeteries from the Tisza-region, Transylvania and the Srem area201. In the Early Avar
Age most of the nds come from eastern Pannonia and Transylvania. In the Tisza-region they
occur seldom, situation which made Attila Kiss to assign an ethnical importance to these
objects, considering them a marker of the Gepidic presence in the Carpathian Basin in the
Early Avar Period202.
The second category (group II) is represented only by the buckle found in grave 54
(Pl.30/54/2; Pl.38/1). The elongated oval buckle-ring has a triangular iron plate xed on the
belt with three big rivets made of copper alloy. Such buckles are totally missing in the Gepidic
Age sites both in the Tisza-region and Transylvania; instead they occur quite often in the
199
200
201
202
BNA NAGY 2002, 122123, Abb.61; in order to separate this group from the buckles of group II (nearly
round buckles) it was taken into consideration the ratio between the diameter and the width of the buckle: group
I includes the ones with an index between 1.9 and 1.6, see BNA NAGY 2002, 160, note 297.
M. Nagy included the D-shaped buckles in the same category with the oval ones (group I), see BNA NAGY
2002, 124.
For a short overview see BNA NAGY 2002, 122124; for their distribution in the Gepidic Period see KISS
1992, 7273, Liste 12, Karte 12.
KISS 1992, 5354, 7172, Liste 11, Karte 11; KISS 1996, 203204, 310311, Liste 8.
38
cemeteries from eastern Pannonia and Transylvania dated in the Early Avar Period203. Like in
the case of the simple oval buckles, Attila Kiss suggested that this artefact category could be
connected to the Gepidic communities from the Early Avar Period, even if he recognized its
Merovingian background204.
The main problem with Kiss approach was that he ignored the discovery contexts
of these buckles, analyzing them separately from the other elements of the belt-set which
they were part of. However, the undisturbed and well-documented graves both from the
Merovingian Age Europe and the Early Avar Age Carpathian Basin showed that, generally,
they were not used alone, but in combination with belt mounts. In the Merovingian world the
buckles with triangular or slightly rhomboidal plate were part of the so-called three-part beltsets (dreiteilige Grtelgarnituren) consisting of a buckle of the discussed type, a counter-plate,
generally of the same shape as the plate of the buckle and a rectangular mount205. These beltsets are dated in the 2nd phase of the chronology established for the cemetery at Marktoberdorf,
i.e. in the period around 580620/30206. A somewhat later dating of this type of three-part
belt-sets was proposed for the Lower Rhine area, where they were placed in phase 8 (around
610640). It was specied that the undecorated variant appeared rather earlier (phase 8 A),
while the belt-sets ornamented with silver wire inlay were in use beginning with the second
part of phase 8 (phase 8 B)207.
The abovementioned belt-set type composed of buckle with plate, counter-plate and rectangular mount can also be found in the material or the Early Avar Period in the Carpathian
Basin. The only dierence is that they were generally combined with a strap-end as a fourth
element which appears to be extremely rare in the Merovingian culture208. Sometimes further
mounts can also appear. Their dating corresponds to that of the Merovingian three-part belt-sets.
Regarding their inner chronology it was supposed that those having buckles with shorter plate
and shorter counter-plate were earlier than the ones with a more elongated form209. The buckle
from Fntnele can be assigned to the latter variant.
Based on the Merovingian and Early Avar Age analogies, it is very likely that the buckle
discovered in grave 54 at Fntnele was part of a belt-set similar to the one described above. This
is furthermore supported by the small iron fragments (two of them with rivets) found in the
same grave, which probably were part of the counter-plate or of the strap-end. Due to the high
proportion of the disturbed graves, complete three-part belt-sets are quite rare in the cemeteries
of the Carpathian Basin210; in many cases only parts of them were discovered. From Transylvania
no case which preserved all the four main metallic elements is known. The best complete sets
are the ones from Band, grave 10 (buckle, rectangular mount and strap-end), grave 46 (buckle,
counter-plate and strap-end), grave 71 (buckle, counter-plate and fragmentary strap-end)211, and
Nolac, grave 17 (buckle, counter-plate and strap-end)212, all of them being disturbed burials.
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
For their distribution in the Early Avar Period see KISS 1992, 8384, Liste 34, Karte 34; KISS 1996, 311, Liste 9.
KISS 1992, 56.
MARTIN 1990, 66.
CHRISTLEIN 1966, 4144; MARTIN 1990, 66, Abb.5.For an attempt to rene the inner chronology of the 2nd
phase, dividing it in three chronological segments, see MARTIN 2008, 155157, 161.
SIEGMUND 1998, 3132.
MARTIN 1990, 6970; MARTIN 1996a, 6568; MARTIN 1996b, 346; The belt-sets with this composition were
included in Type I in the typology establshed for the cemetery A at KlkedFeketekapu: GAVRITUCHIN 2008, 65.
GAVRITUCHIN 2008, 65; for the general dating see also MARTIN 1990, 70.
For example: Krnye, grave 18, 66, 77: SALAMON ERDLYI 1971, Taf.2/3639, 47, Taf.9/15, Taf.11/1619;
KlkedFeketekapu A, grave 44, 103, 138, 180, 324: KISS 1996, Taf. 27/A 44.35, 10, Taf. 33/A 103.57, 15,
Taf.40/A 138.25, 8, Taf.45/A 180.24, 11; Taf.68/A 324.14.
KOVCS 1913, 15.kp/14, 40. kp/1, 6, 51.kp/13.
RUSU 1962, Fig.2/39.
39
IA
IC
26
26
56
27
16
IV A
IB
IV B
42
IV C
6
47
17
II
III
35
54
Fig.6.Buckles discovered in the cemetery at Fntnele
Group III is represented by the buckles of rectangular shape. In this category only the iron
buckle found in grave 35 (Pl.19/35/3; Pl.36/9) could be included. Even if not unknown213, the rectangular buckles were not characteristic for the Gepidic Age, this period being dominated by the oval
213
See e.g. group III of the buckles at HdmezvsrhelyKishomok: BNA NAGY 2002, 123124, Abb.61.
40
shape. Instead, in the Early Avar Period they were used on a much larger scale214. In Transylvania
they appear in a relative high number in the cemetery 3 at Bratei, where they were discovered mainly
in graves situated in the eastern area, considered to represent the later phase of the necropolis215.
Small buckles with plate cast in one, which were included in group IV, are known from
three graves (6, 42, 47). The two buckles from grave 6 (Pl.8/6/67; Pl.36/1011) and the one
from grave 42 (Pl.23/42/3; Pl.38/2) have rectangular form, while the piece found in grave 47
(Pl.26/47/4; Pl.37/6) is oval. In the archaeological material from the 6th7th centuries the rectangular buckles with plate cast in one are less frequent than the oval variant. In the cemeteries from
the Gepidic and the Early Avar Period in the majority of the cases they have a triangular plate216,
but other forms occur as well217.
Both the buckle and the plate are much more common in the case of grave 47.It can be
connected to the group of the so-called buckles with U-shaped plate of Byzantine origin218. In
Transylvania its closest analogy is known from the cemetery 3 at Bratei, grave 15219. It was considered together with other buckles with U-shaped plate (type 16a.2b.3) discovered in the same
cemetery, a type of Byzantine origin, based on the inventory of the grave 132 from the cemetery
at Callatis, dated after 538 by a solidus of Justinian, as well as on other analogies coming from
Crimea and from the Middle Danube-region dated in the Early Avar Period220. In the Carpathian
Basin there are several nds of this kind which can be placed generally in the Early Avar Period.
From a chronological point of view the buckles from SzegvrSpoldal are of great importance
being dated by a copy after a solidus of Maurikios Tiberios (582602)221.
In conclusion, on technical and morphological grounds, the pieces belonging to group IV
are related to the category of the buckles with plate, cast in one, of Byzantine origin belonging
to the 6th7th centuries222, even if they cannot be included completely in any of the knowntypes.
Concerning the functionality of these buckles, judging after their position, the ones
discovered in grave 6 can be connected to the footwear. The situation is more dicult in the
case of graves 42 and 47, due to the disturbed state of the burials. Both of the buckles are of small
dimensions, situation which makes it probable that they did not serve for closing the waist, but
were used with other purpose223. In grave 42, probably belonging to a woman, three rivets similar
to the ones which were used for xing the buckle on the strap were found; therefore it cannot be
excluded that initially the grave contained two small buckles of the same type. If so, these could
have also belonged to the footwear, just like in the case of grave 6.
Even if disturbed, it seems possible that a few bones and grave-goods from grave 47, placed
in the vicinity of the upper part of the body, were found in their original position. Near the right
forearm traces of leather were observed. On top of these, the buckle together with a small leather
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
KISS 1992, 53; KISS 1996, 203204.

HARHOIU 2010, 151152, Verbreitungskarte 33.
For example Szentes-Kknyzug, grave 38, SzegvrNagyorom: CSALLNY 1961, Taf. IX/4, Taf. XXII/20;
SzregTglagyr, grave 73: NAGY 2005b, Taf.60/73.3.
For example SzentesNagyhegy, grave 7: CSALLNY 1961, Taf.23/15; UnireaVeremort, grave 5: ROSKA 1934,
Abb.2/C.10.
GARAM 2001, 9195.
BRZU 2010, Taf.4/G.15.1, Taf.53/G.15.1.
BRZU 2010, 107; for grave 132 at Callatis see PREDA 1980, 95, Pl.XXXIV/13, Pl.LXV.
BNA 1980, Abb.15/79; see also GARAM 1992, 153 (with a short discussion), Taf.15/1718, Taf.16/5.
Schulze-Drlamm group D (Schnallen mit festem Beschlag): SCHULZE-DRLAMM 2002, 146236.
Unfortunately the analogies cannot oer too much help, taking into consideration that small buckles of this
type were used in dierent manners both in male and female graves, e.g. as part of the footwear: Budakalsz
Dunapart, grave 1188 (VIDA 1996, Abb.8/A), ZamrdiRtifldek, grave 854 and 924 (BRDOS GARAM 2009,
Taf.102/854.56, Taf.108/924.1011, Taf.184/78); for xing the spatha-belt: KlkedFeketekapu A, grave 107
(KISS 1996, 41, Taf.1/12, Taf.34/1) or the quiver: ZamrdiRtifldek, grave 1035 (BRDOS GARAM 2009,
134, Taf.117/1035.2021).
41
piece with two rivets, a small fragment of a wooden object with a rivet, iron fragments and a
secondary reused spring of a brooch were found. All these elements suggest the existence of a
leather purse which probably was closed with the small buckle in discussion.
Fragments belonging to simple iron strap-ends with rounded end were identied inside the
graves 56 (Pl.28/56/23) and 61 (Pl.32/61/5). Even if rare, such objects were already used in the
Gepidic Age224, being much more popular in the Early Avar Period Pannonia and Transylvania, where
in most of the cases they were part of three- or multi-part belt-sets225. Other small iron fragments
with rivets which could belong to belt mounts or strap-ends come from graves 24, 49, 54, 56, 58.
III.5.1.4. Leg garters (Wadenbindengarnituren)
In grave 6, in the area of the legs, two small buckles and two strap-ends were discovered
(Pl.8/6/69; Pl.36/1013). The tomb was disturbed, but it seems that this activity aected only
its western part, avoiding the area of the tibiae. The position of the buckles and strap-ends shows
without any doubt that they were part of a pair of leg garters.
Such sets are known in a relative high number in the Merovingian cemeteries226. In the
Carpathian Basin they appear on several sites dated in the Early Avar Period; however, their identication as leg garters was made only recently227. The main concentration of nds can be observed
in Pannonia, a second region being represented by Transylvania228.
Based on undisturbed, well documented graves, Gisella Clauss managed to reconstruct
three main manners of the way these sets were used, each of them having more variants. In our
opinion the pair of leg garters from Fntnele, grave 6 similar to the majority of the pieces from
the Carpathian Basin229 belongs to the 2nd variant of the model II. In the case of this model the
strap-ends are wider than the buckles and therefore they were not passed through the buckles,
but xed separately on the narrow strap under the knee and reached the area of the ankles230.
This variant was dated mainly in Bhner Stufe IV, i.e. in the 7th century231.
The strap-ends of the leg garters from Fntnele are decrorated along the edges with
punched circles. Punched ornaments appear quite often on strap-ends of the period. The technique was already in use in the Gepidic Period, mainly in the communities living in the Tiszaregion. Their craftsmen used dierent motifs, the most popular being the semicircular shape. In
Transylvania the objects with punched ornaments belong mainly to the Early Avar Period; most
frequently the semicircular motifs are preferred as well.
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
E.g. Szreg-Tglagyr, grave 68: NAGY 2005b, Taf.59/8.

See notes 210212.
CLAUSS 1982.
VIDA 1996, 118121.
For the list of the nd-places with leg garters see STRAUB 1999, 96.The pieces published since then conrmed
this distribution tendency: see e.g. KlkedFeketekapu B, grave 85: KISS 2001, Taf.31/B 85.25, Taf.105/5
8; see also VIDA 2004, 440; ZamrdiRtifldek, grave 854, 924, 1179, 1357: BRDOS GARAM 2009,
Taf.102/854.36, Taf.108/924.811, Taf.133/1179.14, Taf.154/1357.25, Taf.184/79. In Transylvania they
are known from three graves (8, 29, 39) from the cemetery at Band:KOVCS 1913, 11.kp/14, 30. kp/14,
38.kp/12, 45; see also STRAUB 1999, Abb.2/24.The interpretation of the two strap-ends from grave 157
of the same cemetery (KOVCS 1913, 76.kp/1, 3) as parts of a leg garter set, proposed by P. Straub (STRAUB
1999, 96, Abb. 3/1) is disputable due to the circumstances of the discovery: see KOVCS 1913, 353355,
75.kp. Probably the two buckles from grave 29 of the cemetery no. 3 at Bratei, discovered near the tibiae,
slightly under the knees, can be interpreted as parts of a pair of leg garters, too (the uncertainty is given by
the lack of the strap-ends), see BRZU 2010, 180, Abb.101, Taf.7/G.29.2a-b; a similar situation was documented in grave 6 from the Langobard Period cemetery at TamsiCsiklegel: BNA HORVTH 2009,
139, Abb.99/6, Taf.60/6.78.
VIDA 1996, 118.
CLAUSS 1982, 66, Abb.4/2.
CLAUSS 1982, 6667.
42
III.5.2. Weapons and weapon accessories
Due to the high proportion of the disturbed funerary assemblages, weapons were discovered only in ve graves (see Fig.7, 8); probably their original number was higher. The phenomenon of reopening the burials hinders also the reconstruction of the weapon combinations. In this
respect only grave 19 can oer indirect information: in this tomb the deceased was buried with a
sword and a shield-boss. Neither the graves with spearheads (grave 14 and 24) nor the ones with
arrowheads (grave 8 and 44) contained other types of weapon.
III.5.2.1. Spearheads
Only two of the graves (14 and 24) contained spearheads. Both of them were positioned in
the south-eastern part of the grave, pointing towards east, which means that they were deposited
on the right side of the body with the point next to the right foot. Taking a closer look at the other
Transylvanian row-grave cemeteries, one can conclude that the dominant form of depositing the
spear inside the grave corresponds to the situation observed at Fntnele. Taking into account
the high number of disturbed graves as well as the lack of information in several cases, this can be
considered rather a tendency than a reality in the present state of the research. Spears positioned
on the right side of the deceased pointing towards east are known from four cemeteries, being
documented in seven graves232. Instead, there are only four graves when the spear was placed on
the left side of the skeleton233.
Spearhead
Three-edged arrowhead
Leaf-shaped arrowhead
Shield-boss
Pyramidal strap-retainer
43
22
10
13
17
14
32
20
35
41
36
16
19
39
34
25
37
54
48
45
33
31
44
38
18
24
11
42
30
27
23
12
26
21
15
8
9
29
46
53
49
58
63
59
55
50
64
60
51
40
47
65
56
52
57
10 m
62
61
Fig.7.Distribution map of the weapons and weapon accessories in the cemetery at Fntnele
The blade of the spearhead discovered in grave 14 (Pl.12/14/2; Pl.37/9) has a longish leaf
shape and was xed on the shaft with a closed socket having a circular section. On the middle of
the blade, in the continuation of the socket, a rib can be observed. Spearheads with median rib
are few in the cemeteries from the Gepidic Period234 and none of them represent a convincing
232
233
234
Band, graves 49 and 52: KOVCS 1913, 323324; Trgu-Mure, graves 9 and 14: KOVCS 1915, 284, 291;
Bistria, graves 34 and 46: GAIU 1992, 118; Bratei, cemetery no. 3, grave 192: BRZU 2010, 230.
Pointing towards west: Band, grave 115: KOVCS 1913, 341; UnireaVeremort, grave 5: ROSKA 1934, 125;
pointing towards east: Bistria, grave 40: GAIU 1992, 118; Bratei, cemetery no. 3, grave 218: BRZU 2010, 240.
For example KiskrePap tanya, grave 43: BNA 2002a, Taf.29/43.67, Taf.86/4; intereag: GAIU 1979, Pl.II/3.
43
analogy for the discussed object. The same situation can be noticed in the case of the Early Avar
Age nds: the leaf-shaped spearheads with median rib (Csiky group IV) are rare and are dated
in the period between the end of the 6th century and the rst half of the next one235. In this category two spearheads discovered in the cemetery at ArchiudHnsuri236 can be included. Another
piece with median rib was found in grave 21 at Bratei, cemetery no. 3237 which from a formal
point of view can be connected to the already mentioned spearheads from KiskrePap tanya,
grave 43238. Even if rare, specimens of similar shape, but without median rib, are known from the
Carpathian Basin in the 6th century239.
The best analogy of the spearhead from Fntnele comes from grave 13 of the cemetery at Klepsau in South-Germany240. Together with the spearheads found in grave 8 and
an isolated nd from the same cemetery, it belongs to the so-called Hellmitzheim type characterized by closed socket, median rib and in the most of the cases stamped decoration241
(Fig.9). The type was rstly analyzed by Robert Koch who dated it to the end of the 6th
rst half of the 7th century242. The spearheads of Hellmitzheim type were discussed in detail
several times by Ursula Koch in the monographs of a few row-grave cemeteries excavated in
South-Germany. The stamped pieces discovered at Schretzheim were framed in the 2nd phase
(around 545/50565/70) of the inner chronology of the cemetery243. Later, the same author
integrated them in the chronology established for South-Germany where she considered
them a typical form for the SD-Phase 6 (approx.555580)244. A dating to the middle/second
half of the 6th century is supported also by the spearhead from grave 46 at Unterthrheim,
discovered together with a coin of Justinian minted after 540245. The distribution map of the
spears of Hillmitzheim type shows a relative wide area and a concentration of nds can be
observed in South-Germany246.
Taking into consideration the above presented situation, the spearhead from grave 14 at
Fntnele seems to be an import piece. On the basis of the Merovingian analogies one can raise
the question if it was initially decorated with stamped ornaments. In the case of the undecorated pieces from Klepsau (graves 8 and 13) the possible stamps were not visible because of the
advanced corrosion and the restoration works; therefore the question if they were ornamented
or not remains unanswered247. The same impediments exist also in the analysis of the spearhead
in discussion.
Unfortunately, the other spearhead of the cemetery, discovered in grave 24, could not
be identied in the archaeological collection of the Institute of Archaeology and Art History;
therefore its typological and chronological interpretation remains open.
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
CSIKY 2007, 315, for their distribution: 319, 8.kp.

GAIU 1999a, 9798, Pl.CXIII/12.
BRZU 2010, Taf.6/G.21.2, Taf.54/G.21.2.
See note 234.
HdmezvsrhelyKishomok, grave 1: BNA NAGY 2002, Taf.6/1.21; SzentendrePannoniatelep, graves 14
and 49: BNA HORVTH 2009, Taf.38/14.5, Taf.48/49.18.
KOCH U. 1990, Taf.16/1.
KOCH U. 1990, 181.
KOCH R. 1967, I, 5859.
KOCH U. 1977, I, 110111; for the same dating in the case of the spearheads of Hellmitzheim type from Klepsau
see KOCH U. 1990, 181.
KOCH U. 2001, 323.
GRNEWALD 1988, 151.
KOCH R. 1967, I, 59, 213, Liste 7, II, Taf.88/7; KOCH U. 2001, 323, Abb.126, 584585, Liste 42.
KOCH U. 1990, 181182; the possibility that the decoration was not visible because of the corrosion or was not
recognized during the restoration process cannot be excluded either in the case of the other undecorated pieces,
see KOCH U. 2001, 585.
44
In grave 14, in the area of the above discussed spearhead, traces of timber were observed
in a line of approximately 1.70 m length, parallel to the southern edge of the grave. According to
the documentation, this situation was interpreted by the leaders of the excavation as the trace of
the shaft. Similar traces were identied in graves 37, 45 and 50, too, which did not contain any
spearhead being considered signs of spears as well. Of course, this possibility cannot be excluded
in this case probably the spearheads would have been taken out in the moment of the reopening of the graves , but it seems more probable that they represent con traces.
14
Fig.8.Weapons and weapon accessories discovered in the cemetery at Fntnele

45
Fig.9. Spearheads of Hellmitzheim type: 1.Fntnele, grave 14; 2.Klepsau, grave 13 (after KOCH U. 1990,
Taf.16/1); 3.Klepsau, stray nd (after KOCH U. 1990, Taf.4/B.2); 4.Klepsau, grave 8 (after KOCH U.
1990, Taf.11/3); 5.Pleidelsheim, grave 231 (after KOCH U. 2001, Taf.89/A.3); 6.Paumheim, stray
nd (after KOCH R. 1967, Taf.20/10); 7.Schretzheim, grave 301 (after KOCH U. 1977, Taf.77/22);
8.Unterthrheim, grave 46 (after GRNEWALD 1988, Taf.10/C.1). Scale: approx. 1:4.
III.5.2.2. Arrowheads
Arrowheads were identied only in two graves. Grave 8 contained four pieces, all of them
situated south-east from the centre of the grave, in a group, pointing towards east. Even if the
grave was totally disturbed, the position of the arrowheads allows the presumption that they were
deposited in a quiver. The arrowhead found in grave 44 was positioned in the centre of the tomb,
pointing towards east, too. Because of the fact that both of the graves were reopened, it cannot be
excluded that the original number of the deposited arrowheads could have been higher.
From a typological point of view the arrowheads discovered in the cemetery at Fntnele
can be divided in two main groups: three of the arrowheads from grave 8 (Pl.10/8/23, 5; Pl.37/1
2, 5) belong to the type with three edges, while the fourth piece (Pl.10/8/6; Pl.37/3) together
with the one from grave 44 (Pl.24/44/3) can be included in the type with two-edged leaf-shaped
blade and socket. Both of the groups represent common types of the period. Attila Kiss drew the
attention that the two-edged arrowheads with socket dated in the Early Avar Period occur mainly
in the cemeteries from the south-eastern part of Transdanubia and from Transylvania which in
his view represents a Germanic/Gepidic tradition248. The type with three edges was used both
248
KISS 1996, 236.
46
before249 and after the Avar conquest; the big dimensions of the pieces from Fntnele rather
suggest a dating in the Early Avar Period.
III.5.2.3. Shield-boss
The only shield-boss of the cemetery comes from grave 19 (Pl.15/19/4) where it was discovered next to the northern wall of the grave, in the area of the legs. Unfortunately, the data
provided by the documentation is not clear enough in order to specify the exact position in which
the shield was deposited. It seems probable that it was leant against the northern wall of the
grave. It is also impossible to reconstruct the dimensions and the shape of the shield.
Due to its fragmentary state of preservation the shape and the dimensions of the shieldboss can be reconstructed only approximately. It has a more or less circular shape with a diameter around 1616.5cm and an unusual low height of 4.2cm. It was xed on the wooden shield
with iron rivets; their number is unknown since only one of them has been preserved.
Shields represent one of the main elements of the Merovingian Age weaponry, occurring
with varied frequency in the dierent areas of Europe. On the territory of the Gepidic Kingdom
their number is relative low250. Later, in the Early Avar Period they are known only from the cemeteries from Transdanubia and Transylvania showing strong connections with the Merovingian
material culture. Until the present day there is no typology made up for the discoveries from the
Carpathian Basin. In the typological system established for South- and Central-Germany and
the region of the Rhine the shield-boss from Fntnele can be included in type IV framed by
Wolfgang Hbener, together with types IIII, mainly in the period comprising the middle and
the last third of the 6th century and the rst third of the 7th century251. Taking a general look at
the pieces discovered in the Tisza-region and Transylvania, one can observe that the discussed
shield-boss belongs to the smallest pieces of the period252. Both from the point of view of the
shape and the dimensions the best analogies are represented by the two shield-bosses discovered
at UnireaVeremort, graves 12 and 13253. Both of them are dated by rectangular iron mounts
with silver wire inlay to the end of the 6th beginning of the 7th century254. In the case of the
shield-boss from grave 19 at Fntnele a dating in the Early Avar Period is supported also by the
pyramidal mount belonging to the sword belt (see below).
III.5.2.4. Pyramidal strap-retainer255
In grave 19 a pyramidal mount was discovered (Pl.15/19/3; Pl.36/8) which originally

belonged to a sword belt. Such artefacts are known from several Late Merovingian cemeteries; therefore their functionality as part of the spatha belt is out of question. Generally they
appear in pair situated on the upper third of the sword blade, next to the edges of the scabbard256. Based on well preserved, undisturbed graves, scholars have tried to nd out the exact
function and place of these mounts inside the so-called multiple-part belt sets which they
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
For their distribution in the Gepidic Age see CSEH 1990, 4243, 6.lista, VI. trkp.
In 1986 J. Cseh counted 20 sites where shield-bosses were discovered:CSEH 1990, 4647, 9. lista, IX. trkp (from
this list of nds Valea lui Mihai should be crossed out because the iron fragments discovered in the grave in question belonged to a helmet, see STANCIU IERCOAN 2003, 145146, note 7, Pl.VI). Until now from Transylvania
such artefacts are known from MoretiHul, grave 70: POPESCU 1974, Taf.15/4; UnireaVeremort, graves 12
and 13: ROSKA 1934, Abb.3/D.1, Abb.4/A.9; it is possible that the small iron fragments discovered in grave 1 at
Cristuru SecuiescPiaa Libertii belonged also to a shield boss: KRSFI SZKELY 2007, 231.
HBENER 1989, 92.
See e.g. BNA NAGY 2002, 178, Tab. 28.
ROSKA 1934, Abb.3/D.1, Abb.4/A.9.
MARTIN 1990, 70; MARTIN 1996a, 65.
However, this object does not represent itself a category of weapon, although it proves the existence of a sword in
the grave in which it was discovered; therefore it was included in this chapter.
MENGHIN 1983, 150.
47
belonged to257. As Tivadar Vida observed, in the Carpathian Basin in most of the graves only
one pyramidal mount was found258. Since his study was published, several new nds have been
discovered and among them there are also some cases when two such objects were found in
the same grave259. Probably in the majority of the graves the absence of one of the mounts can
be assigned to grave disturbing.
The pyramidal mounts of the sword belt are dated in the Late Merovingian Period, more
precisely in the late phase of group D and in group E (end of the 6th century rst half of the 7th
century) of Menghins chronological system established for the Early Medieval sword nds260.
For the Carpathian Basin a similar dating can be accepted, which means that they belong to
the Early Avar Period261. Regarding their distribution, they were in use in almost the whole
Late Merovingian Western- and Central-Europe, as well as in Italy in the Langobard Period. As
Wilfried Menghin pointed out, a concentration of the nds can be observed in the Rhine area,
as well as in West- and South-Germany262. On Menghins distribution map the Carpathian Basin
appeared as almost a blank territory being represented only by three Transylvanian discoveries.
1000 m
500 m
200 m
Galaii Bistriei
Fntnele
Band
Unirea-Veremort
Trgu-Mure
Nolac
20
40
60
80
100 km
Fig.10. Distribution map of the pyramidal strap-retainers in Transylvania

257
258
259
260
261
262
See for example NEUFFER 1972, 3239, Abb. 67; MARTI 1995; recently LPPES 2010 (with further
bibliography).
VIDA 2000, 170.
For example KlkedFeketekapu B, graves 82, 132, 336: KISS 2001, Taf. 28/B 82.10, 12, Taf. 41/B 132.78,
Taf.75/B 336.910; ZamrdiRtifldek, graves 1024, 1038, 1384/a: BRDOS GARAM 2009, Taf.117/1024.9
10, Taf.118/1038.45, Taf.158/1384/a.2425.
MENGHIN 1983, 150151.
VIDA 2000, 169171.
MENGHIN 1983, 150, 363364, Liste III.1.a, Karte 22.
48
Since the publication of his book this situation has changed radically due to the excavation and
publication of a few new cemeteries belonging to the Early Avar Age. Based on the results of
this recent research, it seems that until now the pyramidal strap retainers appear only in the
cemeteries from Transdanubia (KlkedFeketekapu, cemeteries A and B, BudakalszDunapart,
ZamrdiRtifldek) and Transylvania where they belong to the late group of the row-grave
cemeteries. Beside the mount from Fntnele, in Transylvania such pieces were discovered in six
graves from ve cemeteries: Band, grave 36263; Trgu-Mure, grave 1264; UnireaVeremort, grave
13265; Nolac, graves 6 and 89266; Galaii Bistriei, grave 39267 (Fig.10).
III.5.3. Tools
III.5.3.1. Knives
Knives represent one of the most numerous categories of artefacts from the cemetery being
discovered in ten graves (16.95% of the burials), one piece in each (Fig.11). Due to the reopening
of the graves the position of the knives inside the tombs is relevant only in three cases where the
grave disturbances were less intensive. In graves 50 and 64 the knife was situated outside of the
left femur pointing towards east, i.e. in the direction of the legs. The knife of grave 47 was placed
oblique on the left side of the basin, its handle reaching the left arm. All the three situations
suggest that the knives in discussion were fastened on the belt being worn on the left side. The
very poor preserved fragment of an oval iron ring discovered in grave 47 (possibly belonging to a
buckle) next to the handle of the knife served probably for the fastening of the knife on the belt.
43
22
10
13
17
14
32
20
35
41
36
16
19
39
34
25
37
54
48
45
33
31
44
38
18
24
11
42
30
27
23
12
26
21
15
8
9
29
46
53
49
58
62
63
59
55
50
64
60
51
40
47
10 m
65
56
52
57
61
Fig.11.Distribution map of the knives in the cemetery at Fntnele
Knives are common grave-goods both of the Merovingian and the Avar Age cemeteries,
independently from the gender and age of the deceased. All of the knives have one edge, their
length varies between approx. 8.55 and 12.95cm. No traces of wooden or leather sheaths could
be observed, neither sheet-mounts were discovered. It cannot be excluded that the cylindrical
iron ring from grave 61 (Pl.32/61/3) belonged to the handle of the knife discovered in the same
tomb, similar to a short seax coming from the cemetery at Cpuu MareCnepite268.
263
264
265
266
267
268
KOVCS 1913, 36.kp/2.

KOVCS 1915, 36.kp/1.
ROSKA 1934, Abb.4/A.5.
RUSU 1962, Fig.2/21; RUSU 1964, Pl.I/27.
HARHOIU 2008, Taf.6/G39.1.
AEZRI SLAVE 1952, Fig.1/15; for a discussion see DOBOS 2009, 223231, Fig.56.
49
61
40
46
17
50
64
29
57
27
Fig.12.Knives discovered in the cemetery at Fntnele
III.5.3.2. Scissors
From grave 31 comes a fragmentary preserved pair of scissors (Pl.20/31/2) which was
discovered near the right shoulder of the skeleton. Scissors represent a relative common
grave-good in the Merovingian Age cemeteries. They appear less frequently in the territory
of the Gepidic Kingdom, being distributed mainly in the Tisza-region269. In Transylvania they
are known both from the row-grave cemeteries dated in the Gepidic Age270 and the Early
AvarPeriod271.
III.5.3.3. Spindle-whorl
In the cemetery at Fntnele only one spindle-whorl was discovered coming from grave
8 (Pl.10/8/4). It belongs to the most common form of the undecorated double-conic spindlewhorls. It is more curious its association inside the grave with four arrowheads, taking into consideration that spindle-whorls are characteristic for female graves272. Therefore the possibility
that initially it belonged to another grave and it was moved accidentally during the post-burial
disturbances should not be excluded.
III.5.4. Other objects
Among the most interesting nds discovered in the cemetery at Fntnele are three small
glass objects coming from grave 6 (Pl.38/57). The pieces of dierent shape are composed of
three layers: a thick base made of glass, an extremely thin metal sheet and a transparent glass
269
270
271
272
CSEH 1990, 58, 21.lista, XXI. trkp.

MoretiHul, graves 8, 39, 41: POPESCU 1974, Taf.2/5, Taf.9/5, Taf.10/2.
Nolac, grave 33: RUSU 1962, Fig.4/4; RUSU 1964, Fig.3/4.
A similar case when a spindle-whorl was discovered in a male grave was registered at Band, grave 10: KOVCS
1913, 15.kp/31.
50
plate273. On formal and technical grounds it seems likely that the three objects served as inlays
for a metal jewel or dress element; however, their structure is quite unique in comparison with
the contemporary nds ornamented with inlays.
In graves 17 and 40 two fragmentary iron objects with circular section were discovered
(Pl.14/17/3; Pl.22/40/5). Their functionality cannot be established with certainty; the leaders of
the excavation considered them iron pins. On the basis of similar objects coming from contemporary cemeteries their interpretation as awls seems more probable. In the Gepidic Age cemeteries from the Tisza-region they are generally discovered in connection with the purse274.
A spring of a brooch was found in grave 47 (Pl.26/47/3). From typological point of view it
cannot be classied due to its fragmentary state of preservation, but it is certain that it did not
belong to the period when the cemetery was in use. Most likely it was part of a brooch from the La
Tne Period which was later reused with other purposes in the Early Middle Ages. The position of
the spring inside the grave is relevant: it was discovered near the right forearm (probably in original position) together with a small buckle, a small leather piece with two rivets, a fragment of a
wooden object with a rivet and iron fragments. Under these nds leather traces were identied. All
these observations suggest that the deceased was buried with a leather purse which was probably
closed with the buckle, while the other objects represent its content275 (see also Chapter III.5.1.3).
From grave 61 comes a fragmentary ring with semicircular section made of lead (Pl.32/61/2).
Its functionality cannot be determined; taking into account the dimensions (diameter approx.
6.4cm) the possibility that it was a bracelet cannot be excluded. The cylindrical iron object discovered in the same grave (Pl.32/61/3) probably covered a wooden object, most likely a handle.
The grave contained an iron knife, too and therefore it is possible that the cylindrical object was
xed on its handle (see also Chapter III.5.3.1).
III.5.5. Pottery
A total number of 14 ceramic vessels was discovered in the cemetery, representing approximately a quarter of the excavated graves. Their original number was probably somewhat higher
as it is suggested by the ceramic sherds discovered in several burials. Due to the fact that the
majority of these sherds could not be identied in the archaeological collection of the Institute
of Archaeology and Art History, Cluj-Napoca, their interpretation as grave-goods remains problematic. According to the written record the mentioned ceramic fragments were generally discovered in the ll of the graves. In order to explain this observation two possibilities can be suggested. The sherds could belong to another chronological period, earlier then the one when the
cemetery was used; in consequence, they were mixed accidentally in the ll of the graves in the
moment of the funeral. This possibility should be seriously taken into account, since numerous
archaeological features belonging to earlier times, mainly to the La Tne Period, were identied
in the area of the cemetery. The second alternative would be to connect them to the post-burial
activities. In this case the sherds would represent the remains of vessels which originally had
been part of the deposited grave-goods but were destroyed in the moment when the burials were
reopened. As it was already pointed out276, several disturbed graves indicate that the pottery did
not represent one of the targets of those who reopened the burials and therefore the ceramic vessels, often broken during the disturbance activities, were frequently left inside or simply thrown
273
274
275
276
See the contribution of Eszter Horvth in this volume (Appendix 2).

BNA NAGY 2002, 111; NAGY 2005b, 164.In Transylvania similar pieces are known from the goldsmiths
grave 10 at Band:KOVCS 1913, 15.kp/14, 18, 16.kp/7, 1517.
A similar situation was documented in grave 244 from cemetery no. 3 at Bratei, where a fragmentary brooch
from the second half of the 5th century was reused and deposited probably in a purse: BRZU 2010, 9495,
Taf.40/G.244.4, Taf.74/G.244.4.
See Chapter III.3.
51
back into the grave. Such situation was identied probably in grave 46 belonging to a child. It
was totally disturbed containing only a few skull fragments. On the bottom of the grave, in dierent places, two fragments were discovered belonging to the same hand-made vessel which could
not be identied in the collections of the Institute of Archaeology and Art History. If we accept
that the two sherds represent fragments of a destroyed vessel, the number of the nds rises to
15.In the other cases, when the sherds were found in the ll of the graves, it cannot be decided
with certainty whether they represent remains of vessels deposited during the funeral.
In comparison with the row-grave cemeteries from Transylvania and the Tisza-region dated
in the Gepidic Age one can observe that the proportion of the deposited vessels in the cemetery
at Fntnele is relatively high. It was already pointed out by Kurt Horedt that in this respect a
dierence between the Transylvanian Gepdic Age and Early Avar Period row-grave cemeteries can
be noticed, namely that the latter ones usually contain pottery in higher proportions277. However,
for the moment the necropolis at Moreti can be considered the only more or less representative
Gepidic Age site, but there the proportion of the graves containing pottery is conspicuously low.
The other cemeteries dated before the Avar conquest are whether not entirely published (e.g.
VlahaPad, FloretiPolus Center) or the number of the excavated graves is too low to be relevant.
On the other hand, one can remark that the proportion of the graves containing pottery in the
cemeteries from the Tisza-region is lower than the one established at Fntnele and it does not
reach 20%. The only exception is represented by the cemetery at HdmezvsrhelyKishomok,
where in 27.4% of the graves were deposited ceramic vessels278. In contrast, the necropolises
belonging to the late group of the Transylvanian row-grave cemeteries are characterized by a higher
proportion of graves containing pottery, exceeding 2530% (Band, Brateicemetery no. 3, Galaii
BistrieiLa Hrube)279, thus from this point of view the cemetery at Fntnele can be connected to
these Early Avar Period sites. This high number of pottery diers from the general picture of the
Early and Middle Avar Period cemeteries from the Carpathian Basin as well. According to Tivadar
Vida around 1012% of the graves belonging to the mentioned period contained pottery280.
In each grave only one vessel was discovered, which corresponds to the general customs
of the period. Just a few cases are known in Transylvania when two vessels were deposited in the
same grave281; in the same time there are no burials containing more then two vessels.
Taking a closer look to the position of the vessels inside the graves (Fig.13) one can conclude
that the cemetery at Fntnele shows again similarities with the contemporary row-grave cemeteries.
In most of the cases the vessels were placed in the area of the head (9 times282), while only once
(grave 49) was the vessel deposited in the zone of the legs. In grave 50 the pottery was discovered
near the right upper arm (Pl.29/50/1). In the rest of the burials the vessels were found in secondary
position, generally being fragmentary and therefore their original place inside the grave could not
be identied. In grave 62 the sherds belonging to a vessel were spread in the western part of the
grave (Pl.34/62/1), thus it is possible that originally it was deposited in this area, i.e. near the head.
Excepting grave 24 (Pl.16/24/1), in each case when the pottery was placed in the area of the head,
the right side was preferred. In the Transylvanian row-grave cemeteries the pottery was generally
positioned whether in the area of the head or that of the legs. The proportions of these two variants
277
278
279
280
281
282
HOREDT 1977, 260, 263; HOREDT 1986, 29, 35; see also HARHOIU 19992001, 127129.
BNA NAGY 2002, 94, 169, Tab. 15.
HARHOIU 2008, 185186, 219, Abb.16; BRZU 2010, 2526, Abb.13.
VIDA 1999, 13. The proportion of the Avar Period inhumation graves with pottery in Transylvania (so-called
Gmba group) is not high either; however, the actual state of research does not allow rm conclusions in this
respect, see COSMA 2011, 2632.
Band, graves 13 and 29: KOVCS 1913, 298299, 308311; in cemetery no. 3 at Bratei seven such cases were
recorded:BRZU 2010, 25; Trgu-Mure, grave 4: KOVCS 1915, 282; possibly Valea Larg, grave 7: HICA 1974,
519520.
Graves 7, 24, 32, 35, 36, 43, 44, 47, 65.
52
dier from site to site, but always the former one is the dominant283. Until now there is no evidence
for a chronological dierence between them, in contrast, their simultaneity is shown by grave 29
at Band which contained a vessel deposited near the head and another one placed in the area of the
legs284. More unusual is the position of the vessel discovered in grave 50. Although fragmentary, it
seems certain that it lay in its original place, near the right upper arm. Situations like that are quite
rare in the contemporary cemeteries; however, they are not completely unknown as it is attested
by graves III and 84 at SzregTglagyr285 or grave 46 at Nolac286. In three graves the pottery was
placed on a step, twice (graves 7 and 32) on the right side of the head and once (grave 49) in the
area of the legs, on the left side of the body (Fig.13)287.
Fig.13.Position of the pottery inside the graves
The quantity of the pottery discovered in the cemetery at Fntnele and identied later in
the collections of the Institute of Archaeology and Art History, Cluj-Napoca does not allow the
elaboration of a proper inner typology. The lack of a general typological system established for
the funerary pottery coming both from the Gepidic Age necropolises and the Avar Age row-grave
cemeteries from Transylvania renders the typological interpretation of the ceramic material difcult. Such attempts were made only in the frame of individual cemeteries288, still the situation
regarding the funerary pottery coming from the Avar Age is better researched289.
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
See e. g. Nolac: RUSU 1962, 271273; Galaii BistrieiLa Hrube: HARHOIU 2008, 186; cemetery no. 3 at
Bratei: BRZU 2010, 27, Abb. 14, Verbreitungskarte 15; Band: data based on the grave descriptions given by
KOVCS 1913, 281364; at Bistria all the ceramic vessels discovered in original position were placed near the
head:GAIU 1992, 122.A similar situation was also noticed in the Gepidic Age cemeteries in the Tisza-region, for
example at HdmezvsrhelyKishomok: BNA NAGY 2002, 9495, 169, Tab. 14; SzregTglagyr: NAGY
2005b, 143145, Abb.9.
KOVCS 1913, 308311.
NAGY 2005b, 120, 132, 143, Abb.9.
In this grave the vessel was placed near the left elbow of the deceased:RUSU 1962, 273.
See Chapter III.4.2.2.
E. g. HdmezvsrhelyKishomok: BNA NAGY 2002, 129134, Abb. 6566; SzregTglagyr: NAGY
2005b, 188194, Abb.47; Brateicemetery no. 3: BRZU 2010, 5365, Abb.3437.
In this case the thorough typology elaborated for the whole Carpathian Basin allowed also the isolation of dierent
regional particularities: VIDA 1999; for Transylvania see COSMA 2007; COSMA 2011 (without including the late
group of the row-grave cemeteries).
53
Concerning the general aspects, the ceramic material from Fntnele ts well into the
overall picture of the pottery known from the row-grave cemeteries in the Tisza-region and
Transylvania. The deposited vessels are without exception of small dimensions, their height
varying between 8.5cm (grave 18) and 14cm (grave 23). Such small vessels represent the most
numerous category of the funerary pottery in the mentioned cultural milieu. On the grounds of
their dimensions and form, it seems likely that they served for depositing liquids290. At Fntnele
other functional categories which occur in the other row-grave cemeteries from time to time,
like jugs or bowls, are totally missing.
On technical grounds the ceramic vessels discovered in the cemetery at Fntnele can be
divided in two main categories: wheel-thrown and hand-made pottery.
III.5.5.1. Wheel-thrown pottery
Out of the 15 vessels, 9291 (60%) belong with certainty to this category (Fig.14/I); there
is no information regarding the manufacturing technology of the vessel discovered in grave 24
(Fig.15). Generally, they are of poor quality with coarse fabric, being tempered with sand and
pebbles. From the point of view of the colour two groups can be separated:brick-red and dark
grey/brownish grey vessels. The ring is generally uneven, the surface is rough and the form is
asymmetric. The only exception is represented by the vessel discovered in grave 35 of ne fabric.
The surface is rather deteriorated, though still shows traces of polishing.
From formal point of view the material is not suitable for the elaboration of a typology
due to its reduced quantity as well as to the variety of the forms. One category is represented
by the vessels with short neck and pronounced shoulders having the maximal diameter in the
upper third of the body. In this group the vessels discovered in graves 65 and 18 can be included.
The former one (Pl.34/65/2; Pl.40/4) has straight rim and globular body. Similar vessels with
everted rim and even more pronounced shoulders come from the cemetery at ArchiudHnsuri,
grave 50292 and the settlement at StupiniVtatin, dwelling 3293. The pottery from grave 18
(Pl.14/18/3; Pl.39/2) of small dimensions has a more everted rim and a narrow base. The fragmentary vessel from grave 62, though it has a more unusual form and an extremely narrow base,
can be connected also to this category (Pl.34/62/2).
The vessel discovered in grave 7 (Pl.9/7/2; Pl.39/1) belongs to another category. Its main
characteristics are the almost straight rim and the strongly pronounced shoulders situated
slightly above the middle of the body, which represent in the same time the maximum diameter.
It can be connected to the type 06a in the frame of the typology established for the cemetery
no.3 at Bratei294, the main dierence being the lower position of the shoulders on the vessel from
Fntnele. A similar piece with less pronounced shoulders is known from the settlement excavated at StupiniVtatin, dwelling 3295.
The vessel from grave 35 (Pl.19/35/2; Pl.39/3) can be included in a more common type. Its
formal traits are the slightly everted rim and the double-conic body, the maximum diameter being
situated in the lower half. The latter is one of the most frequent characteristic of the Gepidic Age
ne pottery, generally decorated with stamped or burnished motifs296. As mentioned above, the
surface of the discussed vessel shows traces of polishing, but is totally deteriorated, mainly on
the upper part of the body. Therefore it is impossible to nd out whether it was decorated or not.
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
BNA NAGY 2002, 93.

Graves 7, 18, 23, 32, 35, 47, 49, 62, 65.
GAIU 1999a, Pl.CXI/4; GEPIZII 2011, 159, nr. 202.
GAIU 2002, Fig.10/2.
BRZU 2010, 5758, Abb.35.
GAIU 2002, Fig. 10/3.
The maximum diameter is situated under the middle of the body both on the so-called Knickwandgefsse and the
pottery with pear-shaped body: see BNA NAGY 2002, 130131, Abb.6566 (groups IIIA-C).
54
47
Fig. 14.Ceramic vessels discovered in the cemetery at Fntnele
55
Vessels with similar structure are known from the cemetery at ArchiudHnsuri297, all of them
belonging to the category of grey ne burnished pottery. Other analogies come from Bratei
cemetery no. 3, grave 157298 or Band, grave 185299.
The vessel discovered in grave 47 (Pl.26/47/2; Pl.38/8) belongs to the category of the pots
with globular body. It is modelled very negligent, both the body and the rim are strongly asymmetric, the maximum diameter is bigger than the height of the vessel. This form occurs less
frequently in the material of the period300.
The category of the so-called beutelfrmige Gefsse is represented by the pottery discovered
in graves 49 (Pl.28/49/2; Pl.40/1) and 23 (Pl.16/23/2; Pl.39/4). The former one, with slightly
everted rim, short neck and oval body is similar to type 06b established for the pottery discovered
in cemetery 3 at Bratei301. Containers with similar shape were identied among the so-called
grey pottery from the Early Avar Period as well302. The vessel from grave 23 is the only decorated
piece out of the wheel-thrown pottery. It is ornamented on its upper half with incised wavy lines.
Both from the point of view of form and decoration the best analogy comes from Brateicemetery no.3, grave 256303. Such decoration occurs on the Gepidic Age pottery, mainly on wheelthrown pots with coarse fabric, rst of all being known from settlements304. However, incised
wavy lines were used also for decorating funerary pottery305, although it cannot be considered
a typical motif of the Gepidic Age. Instead, it is the preferred decoration of the wheel-thrown
grey pottery with grained fabric (Vida subgroup IB1) from the Early Avar Period. This group was
distributed in the territory of the former province Pannonia as well as in Transylvania and was
dated mainly in the rst decades of the Avar Period, its production being continuous until the
middle of the 7th century306. On technological grounds it was connected to the tradition of the
Germanic workshops of the previous period without stressing on the idea of ethnic continuity307.
In the Transylvanian material ceramic vessels decorated with incised wavy lines are known from
several cemeteries, like Band308, Brateicemetery no. 3309 or Archiud-Hnsuri310.
III.5.5.2. Hand-made pottery
Five hand-made ceramic vessels were discovered in the cemetery at Fntnele, representing one third of the pottery. Out of them only three could be identied (Fig.14/II) in the
Institute of Archaeology and Art History, Cluj-Napoca, the vessel from grave 36 and the two
fragments from grave 46 being lost. Compared to the row-grave cemeteries of the Gepidic Age
this proportion of the hand-made pottery is rather high, since the number of vessels belonging to this category in the mentioned necropolises is relatively low311. The same armation is
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
GAIU 1999a, Pl.CIX/2, Pl.CX/6; GEPIZII 2011, 158159, nr. 200.

BRZU 2010, Taf.26/G.157.1, Taf.64/G.157.1.
KOVCS 1913, 84.kp/1.
A somewhat similar vessel, but with dierent proportions was discovered at Band, grave 20: KOVCS 1913,
9.kp/11.
BRZU 2010, 6163, Abb.37.
Vida subgroup IB1/d2: VIDA 1999, 4647, Abb.4.
BRZU 2010, Taf.43/G.256.3, Taf.75/G.265.3.
See B. TTH 2006, 104.
E. g. SzolnokSzanda, grave 145: BNA 2002b, Taf.47/145.6, Taf.102/13; MagyarcsandBkny, grave 38 and
stray-nd:NAGY 2005a, Taf.25/38.4, Taf.26/10; Taf.78/34.
VIDA 1999, 4956, Abb.8.
VIDA 1999, 5859.
Graves 167 and 171: KOVCS 1913, 74.kp/7, 9.
Beside the already mentioned vessel from grave 256, this decoration appears also on the pieces from graves 15,
158, 174, 241, 279; on the vessels discovered in graves 17 and 165 it is combined with stamped decoration: BRZU
2010, Taf.4/G.15.4, Taf.5/G.17, Taf.26/G.158, Taf.26/G.165.1, Taf.29/G.174.4, Taf.40/G.241.2, Taf.49/G.279.6.
Grave 107: GAIU 1999a, Pl.CX/4.
CSALLNY 1961, 257; BNA NAGY 2002, 129.
56
true for the contemporary settlements, too312. On the other hand, it seems that the proportion
of the hand-made pottery increased by time as it is attested by the late group of the row-grave
cemeteries from the Early Avar Period, where it is present in a higher number313. Despite this,
it does not reach the general proportions (around 80%) documented in the Carpathian Basin
in the Early and Middle Avar Age314.
Considering the distribution of the hand-made pottery inside the cemetery (Fig.15) one
can remark that the vessels belonging to this category were identied in the same area. Such
concentration of the hand-made pottery was observed also in the cemetery no. 3 at Bratei
where it was characteristic for the eastern part of the necropolis considered to represent the
later phase315. Unfortunately, the hand-made ceramic vessels were not associated with well
datable nds and therefore the question if the situation at Fntnele represents similar chronological dierences remains open.
Fig.15.Distribution map of the wheel-thrown and hand-made pottery in the cemetery at Fntnele
The three identied vessels are of poor quality: the fabric is coarse, sand and pebbles being
used as tempering agents. They represent dierent forms, all of them are asymmetric. The fragmentary vessel from grave 43 (Pl.25/43/2) belongs to a well-known type from the Avar Period
(Vida subgroup IIID9/b316) dated mainly in the second half of the 7th century317. From formal
point of view the vessel discovered in grave 50 (Pl.29/50/2; Pl.40/3) is similar with the one
made with potters wheel from grave 65, but it has less pronounced shoulders. The decoration of
the rim formed by incised lines is a quite good chronological indicator. Such ornaments of eastern origins appeared in the Carpathian Basin for the rst time after the Avar conquest, being a
popular motif of the hand-made pottery in the whole Early Avar Period and, in less quantity, also
in the Middle Avar Period. From the viewpoint of the form, it was used for decorating dierent
vessel types (Vida subgroup IIID1), some of them originating also in the east, while others being
312
313
314
315
316
317
B. TTH 2006, 119.

First of all at Brateicemetery no. 3 where it reaches 30% of the ceramic material:BRZU 2010, 53, Abb.33.
VIDA 1999, 14.
HARHOIU 2010, 151, Verbreitungskarte 22.
The main characteristics of the group are the short everted rim and the maximal diameter on the upper part of the
body: VIDA 1999, 138, 140, Abb.59.
VIDA 1999, 147.
57
developed on local grounds in the Carpathian Basin318. In Transylvania a vessel decorated with
impressions on the rim is known from grave 40 from the cemetery excavated at Nolac319.
Summing up, due to the lack of a thorough typological and chronological system elaborated
for the pottery discovered in the row-grave cemeteries from Transylvania, a detailed interpretation
of the ceramic material identied in the cemetery at Fntnele is dicult. In the same time, the
small number of datable associated nds represents another serious impediment. However, on the
grounds of technological and formal aspects one can draw some general conclusions. Both the proportion of the graves including ceramic vessels and the ratio of the hand-made pottery compared
to the one thrown with potters wheel show a connection to the late group of the Transylvanian
row-grave cemeteries. The same inference is suggested by the quality of the pottery as well. In comparison with the material of the Gepidic Age one can easily observe the decline of the technological
knowledge. The ne pottery with polished surface and burnished or stamped decoration, dominant
in the Gepidic Age cemeteries, is hardly represented at Fntnele. As shown above, only the vessel
from grave 35 can be included in the category of ne pottery, probably with polished surface, but
from the point of view of the quality it does not reach the standards of the second half of the 5th century rst two thirds of the 6th century. On the other hand, the quantity of the wheel-thrown pottery
of coarse fabric, tempered with sand and pebbles increased considerably compared to the classic
Gepidic Age material. This phenomenon is characteristic for other row-grave cemeteries from the
Early Avar Period as well, like Band, Nolac or Brateicemetery no. 3.The technical decay is shown
also by the asymmetric shape of the wheel-thrown vessels detectable also in the material of the
mentioned cemeteries. Despite these important changes the ceramic material of the group in question shows strong local workshop traditions320. These are attested by the presence of the stamped
and burnished pottery in several graves, even if in less quantity than before, and the preponderance
of the wheel-thrown vessels. In the same time, the proportional increase of the hand-made pottery
and the occurrence of new types, unknown in the material culture of the previous era, but more or
less generally distributed in the Carpathian Basin in the Early Avar Period, represent new elements
which, together with the persisting local traditions, marked the unique evolution of the pottery
industry of the communities using the late row-grave cemeteries in Transylvania.
III.6. CHRONOLOGY
The low quantity of the archaeological material discovered in the cemetery at Fntnele
caused by the high degree of the post-burial disturbances represents a serious impediment for
a closer dating. On the grounds of the typological interpretation of a few artefacts the cemetery
can generally be placed in the Early Avar Period. Due to the lack of well datable grave-goods as
well as to the fact that the cemetery was only partially unearthed both its lower and upper chronological limits are dicult to establish. The earliest feature seems to be grave 14 which is dated
in the second half of the 6th century by a spearhead of Hillmitzheim type (see Chapter III.5.2.1).
It is worth mentioning that the grave was totally disturbed, thus the grave-goods associated with
the spearhead are unknown. Most of the nds can be placed in the period comprising the last
decades of the 6th century and the beginning/rst half of the 7th century without the possibility
of a more precise dating. It seems that the use of the cemetery (at least of the excavated part) did
not exceed the end of the Early Avar Period. The only exception might be represented by grave 43
situated on the periphery of the cemetery, containing a hand-made ceramic vessel (see Chapter
III.5.5.2). Because of the above presented problems the establishment of an inner chronology of
the necropolis at FntneleDmbul Popii is impossible.
318
319
320
VIDA 1999, 138143, Abb.58.

RUSU 1962, Fig.5/5; RUSU 1964, Fig.5/5.
VIDA 1999, 181184.
58
IV
C O N C LU SION S
Both the Migration Period graves and the Early Medieval cemetery excavated at FntneleDmbul
Popii are of great signicance for the history of Transylvania in the mentioned eras. Out of the
burials belonging to the Migration Period, grave 1 seems to be an isolated one, while graves 25
form a separate group. A general overview of the Middle Danube Region shows that the more or
less richly furnished isolated graves, grave groups or small cemeteries are characteristic for this
period321. From this point of view the burials at Fntnele correspond to this general picture.
Fig.16.Discoveries from the 5th century in North-Eastern Transylvania

321
For a general view see TEJRAL 2002, 314318; TEJRAL 2008, 254257.
59
Concerning the habitation pattern it is well-known that the Transylvanian Basin is characterized by regression in the Hunnic Age, the number of discoveries being extremely low322.
Despite this, it seems that the north-eastern part of Transylvania played a quite important role
at the beginning of this period as it is shown by the cemeteries unearthed at FntneleRt323
and ArchiudHnsuri324 as well as by a shield-boss coming probably from Budeti325 (Fig.16).
Regarding the discoveries from Fntnele, the archaeological material does not permit to establish any direct connection between the cemetery from period D1 identied at Rt and the graves
discovered at Dmbul Popii. As it was already shown in Chapter III, among the latter ones probably the isolated grave 1 was the earliest being dated in the classic Hunnic Age (D2) or slightly
later. The other burials belong to phase D3, a period when the number of the discoveries in
Transylvania started to increase compared to the previous one326. This phenomenon is perceptible also in its north-eastern part, being attested by graves identied at Cepari and aga, even if
this area did not constitute one of the main regions of the period (Fig.16).
Even if partially excavated and disturbed in high degree, the Early Medieval cemetery is
suitable for drawing some cautious conclusions. As shown above, the necropolis can generally
be dated in the second half of the 6th century rst half of the 7th century and both from the
viewpoint of the burial customs and the archaeological material it belongs to the late group
of the Transylvanian row-grave cemeteries, i.e. the so-called Band-Veremort group (Fig.17).
The chronological and ethnical interpretation of this group has been subject of debate since the
beginning of the 20th century. The early scholars, mainly based on the rst researched cemetery
of the group, excavated at Band, connected it to the Gepids. Istvn Kovcs, the leader of the excavations at Band, dened the basic population of the site as being Gepidic, and, on these grounds,
he concluded that the graves with horse bones, situated both on the western and eastern edges of
the cemetery, could be ascribed to the Avar conquerors327. It is not surprising that the partially
researched cemeteries at Trgu-Mure and UnireaVeremort, excavated a few years later, were
connected to the Gepids as well328.
New progress in the research of the Transylvanian row-grave cemeteries was made in the
1950s, rst of all thanks to the excavations carried out at Moreti. Both the settlement and the
cemetery unearthed at Moreti were dated exclusively in the rst half of the 6th century which
permitted the elaboration of a chronological system for the Germanic discoveries lasting from
the middle of the 5th century until the 7th century. This system was accomplished by Kurt Horedt
who divided the material in three groups: Apahida group, Moreti group and Band-Veremort
group329. Later he tried to correlate his chronological system to the international ones, developed
for the European Merovingian cemeteries330; however, concerning the chronology and the ethnic interpretation of his groups, no essential modication was undertaken. In his opinion group
III (former Moreti group) could be placed in the rst half of the 6th century and belonged to
the Gepidic population331. On the other hand, he dated group IV (former Band-Veremort group)
exclusively in the 7th century interpreting it as late Germanic, and emphasized the dierences
compared to the previous group denying any direct connection between them332.
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
HARHOIU 1998, 151, 153.

MARINESCU GAIU 1989; HARHOIU 1998, 174176, Nr.38.2, Taf.LXXXVLXXXVII.
GAIU 1999b.
GAIU 1979, 536538, Pl.I; HARHOIU 1998, 162, Nr.10, Taf.LXXXIV/1.
HARHOIU 1998, 154155.
KOVCS 1913, 387388.
Trgu-Mure: KOVCS 1915, 295296; UnireaVeremort: ROSKA 1934: 130, note 3.
HOREDT 1958a, 97.
HOREDT 1977; HOREDT 1986, 1436.
HOREDT 1977, 258261; HOREDT 1986, 2629.
HOREDT 1977, 261263; HOREDT 1986, 2936.
60
Fig.17.Cemeteries belonging to the Band-Veremort group
Horedts results were rmly criticised by Istvn Bna. Beginning with Dezs Csallnys
monograph on the Gepidic nds from the Middle Danube region333 in the Hungarian research
the cemeteries belonging to the Band-Veremort group were connected to the late Gepids living
under Avar rule. A similar conclusion was drawn by Bna, who believed that the Moreti group
and the Band-Veremort group are strongly connected and that the cemeteries belonging to the
latter were already in use in the 6th century, without excluding the possibility of an even earlier
date, namely before the Avar conquest. From an ethnic point of view he ascribed the late rowgrave cemeteries with no doubt to the Gepids from the Early Avar Period considering that at the
beginning of the 7th century new Avar and Avar-Slavic communities appeared in this cultural
milieu334. Other scholars were also adepts of the Gepidic continuity in the Early Avar Period335.
Recently, in the Romanian research Radu Harhoiu dealt with the topic of the Gepidic continuity in Transylvania. Following Bnas ideas, he brought further arguments to sustain the hypothesis according to which the use of the Band-Veremort type cemeteries began already in the second
half of the 6th century336. These were completed by publishing the earlier excavations at Galaii
Bistriei and Brateicemetery no. 3337. Concerning the ethnic composition of the Band-Veremort
333
334
335
336
337
CSALLNY 1961.
BNA 1979, 3746, especially 45; BNA 1986, 163164.
E.g. CSEH 1990; KISS 1992.
HARHOIU 19992001, 129.
HARHOIU 2008; BRZU 2010.
61
group in Harhoius view this can be connected exclusively to the Gepids. In contrast to the former
opinions he denied the presence of any other ethnic component considering the latest elements of
the cemeteries in question the result of an acculturation process, in course of which the late Gepidic
communities had taken over some Avar burial customs (like the horse burials) and artefacts338.
From this brief summary of the main moments which can be marked in the history of research
referring to the Band-Veremort group, one can notice that most of the discussions were related to
the problem of the Gepidic continuity in Transylvania. On the basis of the material published until
now is beyond question that the beginning of the discussed group can be traced back in the second
half of the 6th century. Such dating is supported by the material discovered at Fntnele, too. From
an ethnic point of view the situation seems to be more complex than it was thought before. The
interpretations until the present were based on the bias that the grave-goods, and generally the
material culture, reect directly the ethnicity and, therefore, the ethnic identity was treated as a
permanent and static entity. Without entering in details concerning the complex theoretical problems related to the possibilities of ethnic interpretations of the archaeological material, one can
assume that from this point of view the situation in the Early Avar Period in the Carpathian Basin in
general, and in Transylvania in particular, is rather problematic. The heterogeneity of the archaeological material and of the burial customs documented in this period suggests a complex cultural
picture in the Carpathian Basin where dierent components and traditions (e.g. Eastern, Germanic,
Romanic elements as well as the strong impact of the Byzantine and the Late Merovingian culture)
are detectable339. Thanks to the high number of excavated graves it became possible to isolate some
regional dierences within the Early Avar Age material; however, their ethnic interpretation is far
from being claried. As it is suggested also by the partially excavated cemetery at Fntnele, the
Band-Veremort group shows close relations with the group of cemeteries from Eastern Pannonia
characterized by strong Germanic traditions (e.g. Klked-Feketekapu A and B, Krnye, Budakalsz
Dunapart, SzekszrdBogyiszli t, CskbernyOrondpuszta etc.)340. In the same time, just like
in the case of the Pannonian cemeteries, connections with the Late Merovingian material culture
from Western- and CentralEurope can be detected. On the other hand one can identify several
elements of local, Gepidic Age traditions, too. Beside these, generally distributed components from
the Avar Period as well as Byzantine import pieces play a signicant role. All these elements are
combined in dierent proportions inside the cemeteries in question; however, this situation could
be confusing due to the fact that most of them were only partially excavated.
The importance of the cemetery at Fntnele is given also by its geographical position.
Until the 1990s it was believed that the distribution area of the Band-Veremort type cemeteries was limited to the Middle Mure valley. Since then, thanks to the publication of two cemeteries excavated in the 1970s at Bistria341 and Galaii Bistriei342, this picture has considerably
modied. The two mentioned graveyards together with the one from Fntnele form a northern
group of the Band-Veremort type cemeteries showing that these were extended also in this area
(Fig.17)343. In the same time, the number of the identied settlements in Northern Transylvania
belonging to the period has increased considerably344, which indicates that the region played a
more signicant role in the settlement pattern of Transylvania than it was thought before.
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
HARHOIU 19992001, 148149; HARHOIU 2008, 192; HARHOIU 2010, 156158.

For a general overview see DAIM 2003, 465487.
Recently VIDA 2008, 1831.
GAIU 1992.
HARHOIU 2008.
Another, still unpublished cemetery connected to the Band-Veremort group was discovered at Archiud-Hnsuri:
GAIU 1999a, 8081.
For an overview of the settlements from this region see GAIU 2003.
62
C ATA LOG U E
O F G R AV E S
For an easier understanding the graves are described taking in account the following aspects:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Gender and age

Orientation
Shape in plan
Level of identication
Dimensions
Depth
Description
Grave-goods
Due to the high proportion of disturbed graves only in a few cases was possible to carry out
anthropological analysis345 and therefore the data included in the rst point are incomplete. In
several cases the gender could be identied on the grounds of the grave-goods. The data dened
by the anthropological analysis are marked with italics, while the ones dened archaeologically
are unmarked.
The orientation (2), shape (3), and dimensions (5) of the graves are based on the drawn
record carried out on the excavation. The level of identication (4) and the depth (6) of the
graves represent values measured from the level of the surface in the time of the excavation.
In the catalogue the following technical abbreviations are used:
D diameter;
H height;
IAAH Institute of Archaeology and Art History, Cluj-Napoca;
L length;
M mass;
Th thickness;
W width.
Grave 1 VWZ (Pl.3; Pl.36/4)
1. Unknown. 2. Approx. WE. 3. Oval. 4. 0.30 m. 5. L: 1.63 m; W: 0.51 m. 6. 1.00 m.
7.Partially disturbed grave. The skull was found in a poor state of preservation being turned to the
345
See Appendix 1.
63
right. The area of the upper body was disturbed, only the right arm remained in original position.
The ribs and the vertebrae were missing, the bones of the left arm, respectably the mandible were
found near the right arm. The femurs and the tibiae lay in original position (1). 8.Grave-goods:
1.Near the right forearm looped iron mount having a longish triangular shape with rounded end.
On the end of both of the arms there is a hole which shows that initially they were held together
by a rivet. L:5.13cm; W:1.87cm; Th:0.901.20cm; Dloop: 1.98cm; M: 13 g (2).
Pit 2 (Pl.3)
1. Animal grave (?). 2. Unknown. 3. Rectangular, one of the short edges is rounded.
Around the edges there was a 0.10 m high step. 4.0.30m. 5.L:2.52m; W:0.88m. 6.0.70m.
7.Disturbed grave. In the upper half only a few small bones and bone fragments were discovered, while in the other half two long-bones were found. All of them belong to an animal, possibly horse (1). 8.Grave-goods: 1.Fragmentary iron blade which probably belonged to a knife.
L:7.10cm; W:1.30cm; Th:0.15cm; M: 4 g (2).
Pit 3 (Pl.4; Pl.36/12)
1.Animal grave (?). 2.Unknown. 3.Oval. 4.Unknown. 5.L:2.28m; W:0.78m. 6.2.15m.
7.Disturbed grave. In the ll (possibly of the robbing pit) at 1.501.80 m depth a long-bone
and a few vertebrae were discovered. On the bottom of the grave a rib and two other vertebrae
were found in secondary position. The femurs and the tibiae lay in original position. All the
bones belonged to an animal (12). 8.Grave-goods: 1.In the ll, on one of the vertebrae fragmentary iron brooch with a relatively strongly arched bow. The foot and the lower part of the pin are
missing. L:3.20cm; Wspring: 1.40cm; Wbow:0.45cm; Th:0.25cm; M: 4 g (4). 2.In the same area
kidney-shaped iron buckle with ribbed decoration. The pin has a at base being decorated with
two incised parallel lines, its end is curved. L:2.60cm; W:4.50cm; Th:0.65cm; Lpin: 2.66cm;
Wpin: 0.520.90cm; Thpin: 0.35cm; M: 11 g (3). 3.On the bottom of the grave ceramic spindlewhorl. It could not be identied in the IAAH.
Pit 4 (Pl.3; Pl.36/3)
7.Disturbed grave. On the bottom several bones (mainly long-bones, ribs, vertebrae) were found
in secondary position belonging to an animal (1). 8.Grave-goods: 1.Circular iron ring with open
ends. D:2.903.00cm; Th:0.40cm; M: 4 g (2). 2.Fragments of a ceramic vessel.
Pit 5 (Pl.3)
7.Partially disturbed grave. On the bottom several bones were discovered, all of them belonging
to an animal. The tibiae and a part of the spine lay in original position (1). 8.Without grave-goods.
Grave 1 (Pl.5; Pl.36/57)
1.Man. Adult. 2.NNESSW. 3.Oval, on the northern half is wider. At 0.90 m depth the
grave starts to narrow reaching an approximately oval form with the dimensions of 3.001.20m.
It is probable that this was the original shape of the grave. 4.0.25m. 5.L:3.22m; W:1.59m.
6.1.92m. 7.Disturbed grave. In the ll of the grave horse bones and pottery fragments were
found. On the bottom parts of a skeleton were discovered in secondary position together with
animal (horse?) teeth. The bones lied in the northern half of the grave (1). 8.Grave-goods: 13.To
the south from the bones three oval gilded copper alloy mounts. Two of them have a kidneyshaped inlay made of a red glass plate, under the plates the surface was gilded imitating a gold
foil. The glass plate of the third mount is missing. The fastening system was cast together with
64
the mounts being bent; its lower end is attened having a circular form. This part is connected
with the backside of the mount with a rivet with circular head. L:1.952.05cm; W:1.401.45cm;
Th:1.051.15cm; Lglass plate: 0.550.70cm; Wglass plate: 1.051.15; M: 6 g (24). 4.Small fragment
of an antler plate, probably belonging to a comb. In the middle it has an iron rivet. L:2.30cm;
W:1.17cm; Th:0.40cm; Hrivet: 1.20cm; Thrivet: 0.46cm (5).
Grave 2 (Pl.5)
1.Man. Maturus (4550 years). 2.NNESSW. 3.Irregular, the northern edge is wider and
straight, the southern one is rounded. Along the eastern wall there was an approx. 0.15 m wide
and 0.92 m high step. 4.0.30m. 5.L:2.12m; W:1.21m. 6.1.32m. 7.Disturbed grave. In the ll
and on the bottom a few bones were discovered in secondary position, among them parts of the
skull and long-bones. In the ll of the grave Iron Age pottery fragments were found (1). 8.Gravegoods: 1.In the ll of the grave a int was discovered; its belonging to the grave is uncertain. It
could not be identied in the deposit of the IAAH.
Grave 3 (Pl.4; Pl.41/12).
1.Horse. 2.SN. 3.Irregular. 4.Unknown. 5.L:2.52m; W:0.800.97m. 6.Unknown.
7.The grave was partially cut through the Scythian Age grave 87.Partially disturbed grave, in the
northern part no bones were found. At the southern end a horse skull was discovered. Towards
south two legs and other horse bones were identied (1). 8.Grave-goods: 1.In the mouth of the
horse an iron bit. 2.In the south-eastern part of the grave, next to the bones a rectangular buckle
made of copper alloy. 35.On the legs three iron fragments; 6.In the ll of the grave a int; its
belonging to the grave is uncertain. The grave-goods could not be identied in the deposit of
the IAAH.
Grave 4 (Pl.67; Pl.35; Pl.42/12)
1.Woman. Adult (2830 years, with articially deformed skull). 2.WNWESE. 3.Rectangular
with rounded corners. Along the southern wall an approx. 0.06 m wide and 0.37 m high step was
identied. 4.0.20m. 5.L:2.06m; W:0.80m. 6.0.93m. 7.Disturbed grave. On the bottom,
almost on the whole surface human bones were discovered lying in secondary position. Many
bones were missing (6/1). 8.Grave-goods: 1.In the central area of the grave circular ring with
rectangular section made of copper alloy. D:2.252.95cm; Th:0.20cm; M: 2 g (6/2). 2.In the
northern part of the grave, next to the bones, bow brooch of Pra-Levice type cast of copper alloy.
The head is triangular; its end is decorated with a circular knob. The surface is ornamented in
chip-carved (Kerbschnitt) technique with four triangles. The bow is strongly arched being decorated on both ends with two incised lines. The footplate is rhombic ending in a circular knob. It
is decorated with four rhombic motifs in the same technique as the head. The spring and the pin
are missing. L:5.97cm; Lhead:2.05cm; Lfoot: 2.60cm; Whead:1.45cm; Wbow:0.60cm; Wfoot: 1.05cm;
Th:0.25cm; M: 6 g (6/3). 3.On the brooch a cylindrical object made of a thin copper alloy sheet. It
served probably for covering a wooden object. It is decorated with hemispherical protuberances.
L:1.70cm; W:0.85cm; Th:0.05cm (6/9). 4.Fragment of a brooch with reverted foot made of copper alloy. Only the foot is preserved. L:2.47cm; W:1.00cm; Th:0.15cm; Gr: 2 g (6/8). 5.In the
eastern half of the grave, near the bones an earring with massive polyedric button made of copper
alloy. D:2.50cm; Th:0.17cm; Lbutton: 0.77cm; Wbutton: 0.80cm; Thbutton: 0.75cm; M: 3 g (6/4). 6.In
the same area bronze coin of Constans (35/5). 7.In the same area small fragment of a metal object
with polished surface (possibly mirror?). L:2.40cm; W:1.25cm; Th:0.20cm (6/10). 8.In the same
area a longish pendant or strap-end with sharp ending made of copper alloy. On the wider end there
is a circular hole. L:3.17cm; W:0.75cm; Th:0.10cm; M: under 1 g (7/2). 9. In the same area a
rivet of big dimensions made of copper alloy. It has circular section and hemispherical head. On
65
the surface of the head traces of gilding can be observed. L:1.82cm; Dhead:0.90cm; Hhead:0.40cm;
Th:0.15cm; M: 2g (7/3). 10. In the same area 14 beads of dierent shape and size: a. attened
tubular glass bead of green colour. L:1.20cm; W:0.60cm; Th:0.43cm. b,m. Two blue glass beads
of attened globular shape. L:0.400.45cm; D:0.550.60cm. c, kl.Three globular brown glass
beads. L: 0.600.70 cm; D: 0.75 cm. d. Green glass bead with cogged decoration. L: 0.47 cm;
D:1.00cm. e.Disc-shaped amber bead. L:0.47cm; D:1.02cm. fh. Three large green glass beads
of attened globular shape. They were made by coiling the glass paste. L:0.700.90cm; D:1.50
1.80cm. i.Green glass bead of similar shape but of smaller dimensions. L:0.58cm; D:1.15cm.
j.Reddish coral bead. L:0.53cm; D:0.80cm. n. Tubular blue glass bead with hexagonal section.
L:1.13cm; D:0.35cm (7/1). 11.In the same area 387 beads: a. tubular coral bead of light brown colour. L:0.82cm; D:0.43cm. b. 386 so-called millet beads of dark brown colour. L:0.130.25cm;
D:0.140.30cm (7/4). 1214.Three ints, one of them in the western half of the grave, between
the bones. L:1.952.95cm; W:1.301.95cm; 0.650.95cm (6/1113). 15.Small copper alloy fragment. L:0.70cm; W:0.55cm; Th:0.30cm (6/5). 16.Fragment of a copper alloy wire with circular
section. L:1.60cm; Th:0.20cm (6/6). 17.Fragment of a copper alloy wire with rectangular section.
L:1.75cm; Th:0.15cm (6/7).
Grave 5 (Pl.8; Pl.41/3)
1. Unknown. 2. Unknown 3. Oval. 4. 0.20 m. 5. L: 1.87 m; W: 0.67 m. 6. 0.53 m.
7.Disturbed grave which contained only a few fragmentary bones discovered in secondary position (1). 8.Without grave-goods.
Grave 6 (Pl.8; Pl.36/1013; Pl.38/57; Pl.43/1)
1. Woman. Juvenis (1415 years). 2. WSWENE. 3. Rectangular with rounded corners.
4.0.40m. 5.L:2.32m; W:1.14m. 6.0.80m. 7.Disturbed grave. On the bottom, in the western
part the fragmentary skull, the mandible and a few other bones were found in secondary position.
Only the legs, from the knees downwards, were preserved in anatomical position lying in the
eastern half of the grave. The femurs were placed over the left tibia (1). 8.Grave-goods: 1.In
the western part of the grave, in the area of the skull three beads: a. Circular bead made of black
glass paste having a circular hole in the center. It is decorated with four white protuberances.
D: 0.87 cm; Th: 0.75 cm; Dhole: 0.43 cm (2). b. Two circular beads made of yellow glass paste
having a circular hole in the middle. D:0.600.68cm; Th:0.35cm; Dhole: 0.30cm (34). 2. Yellow
glass fragment of rectangular shape, probably an inlay. It is composed of three layers: a thick
glass base, a very thin metal sheet (backing foil) and a thin glass plate. L: 0.75 cm; W: 0.55cm;
H:0.60cm. 3. In the western part of the grave, in the area of the skull, trapezoidal reddish yellow
glass fragment, probably an inlay. It has a similar structure as the previous one, the glass plate
is broken o and preserved separated. L: 0.7 cm; W: 0.55 cm; H: 0.450.50 cm; Hplate: approx.
0.05 cm. 4. Yellow glass fragment of triangular shape, probably an inlay. The structure is similar
to the previous ones, the glass plate is broken o. L: 1.07 cm; W: 0.85 cm; H: 0.55 cm; Hplate:
approx. 0.08 cm. 5.Eastwards from the bones from the western part of the grave fragments of
an iron object. L:1.52cm; W:1.12cm; Th:0.70cm. 6.Approximately in the middle of the grave,
situated on a bone, a fragment of a bronze ring. L:1.50cm; Th:0.42cm (5). 7.Under the right
tibia a small bronze buckle with rectangular proled ring and shield-shaped plate cast in one. It
has no pin. L:2.83cm; Lplate: 1.75cm; Wbuckle ring: 1.64cm; Wplate: 1.48cm; Thbuckle ring: 0.4cm; Thplate:
0.23cm; M: 4 g (7). 8. In the same area a longish bronze strap-end with rounded end. On the
upper edge it has two small orices for rivets. On the edges it is decorated with a row formed
of small punched circular motifs. L:6.03cm; W:1.47cm; Th:0.43cm; M:21 g (8). 9. Outside of
the left tibia a small bronze buckle with rectangular proled ring and shield-shaped plate cast in
one, similar to the nr. 8.It has no pin. L:3.25cm; Lplate: 2.10cm; Wbuckle ring: 1.37cm; Wplate: 1.53cm;
66
Thbuckle ring: 0.46cm; Thplate: 0.28cm; M: 6 g (6). 10.In the same area a longish bronze strap-end
with rounded end similar to the nr. 9. On the upper edge it has two small orices for rivets.
L:6.20cm; W:1.28cm; Th:0.46cm; M: 18 g (9).
Grave 7 (Pl.9; Pl.39/1; Pl.44/1)
1.Unknown. 2.SWNE. 3.Oval. 4.0.11m. 5.L:1.75m; W:0.90m. 6.0.75m. 7.In the
grave no bones were found. Along the southern wall there was a 0.39 m high step, next to the
northern one there was a 0.44 m high step. Another step of 0.27 m height was situated in the
south-western corner (1). 8.Grave-goods: 1.On the step in the south-western corner of the grave,
at 0.48 m depth, a wheel-thrown ceramic vessel. Its rim is almost straight, the shoulders are pronounced, the maximum diameter is situated on the superior part of the body (near to its middle),
the base is at. The walls are relatively thin (around 0.55cm at the rim). The fabric is coarse and
is tempered with sand and pebbles measuring between 0.1 and 0.5cm. The vessel has a brick-red
colour, except the lower part and the base, where it is dark grey. It is not decorated. H:12.48cm;
Drim: 6.72cm; Dmax: 12.80cm; Dbase: 5.40cm (2).
Grave 8 (Pl.10)
1.Man. 2.WSWENE. 3.Rectangular with rounded corners. The edge on the northern side
is slightly curved. 4.0.44m. 5.L:2.62m; W:0.841.00m. 6.0.77m. 7.Disturbed grave. In the
centre a few long-bones, fragments of the skull and a fragment from the hip were discovered (1).
8.Grave-goods: 1.In the southern half of the grave, near one of the long-bones a three-edged iron
arrowhead pointing towards NE. The inferior part is broken. L:4.48cm; W:1.34cm; M: 4 g (3).
2.On the same place, on the right side of the former one, a three-edged iron arrowhead having
the same orientation. L:9.26cm; Lhead:5.32cm; Wmax: 1.73cm; M: 16 g (2). 3.On the right side
of the former one, a bit upper, a long three-edged iron arrowhead having the same orientation.
L:9.78cm; Lhead:3.20cm; Wmax: 1.38cm; M: 9 g (5). 4.To the right from the former one a leafshaped iron arrowhead with circular socket having the same orientation. In the interior side of
the socket wooden traces are preserved. L:11.10cm; Lhead:5.92cm; Wmax: 2.05cm; Th:0.45cm;
Dsocket: 0.481.40cm; M: 21.5 g (6). 5.In the northern half of the grave, near another long-bone
a double-conic ceramic spindle-whorl with a circular hole in the middle. H:2.10cm; D:2.80cm;
Dhole: 0.80cm (4). 68.To the west from the bones three bronze rivets. Due to their very poor
state of preservation only one of them could be saved. It has a hemispherical head. H:1.04cm;
Hhead:0.64cm; Dhead:0.95cm; Th:0.15cm; M: 2 g.
Grave 9 (Pl.9; Pl.37/15)
1. Child. 2. SWNE. 3. Rectangular, the SW end is rounded, the NE end is straight.
4.0.22m. 5.L:1.62m; W:0.77m. 6.0.61m. 7.Disturbed grave. On the bottom of the grave a
few bones (among them skull fragments and a long-bone) were discovered in secondary position
(1). 8.Without grave-goods.
Grave 10 (Pl.9)
1.Woman. Juvenis (1617 years). 2.WSEENE. 3.Oval. 4.0.29m. 5.L:1.68m; W:0.64m.
6.0.41m. 7.Disturbed grave. In the western part the skull, the mandible and other small bones
were discovered in secondary position. The tibiae were situated in the eastern half of the grave,
probably in original position (1). 8.Without grave-goods.
Grave 11 (Pl.11)
1.Unknown. 2.SWNE. 3.Rectangular, the south-western end is rounded; the north-eastern one is straight. 4.0.69m. 5.2.47m; W:1.12m. 6.1.28m. 7.Disturbed grave, in the ll
67
several prehistoric pottery fragments were found. In the north-eastern half a few bones were
discovered in secondary position (1). 8.Without grave-goods.
Grave 12 (Pl.11)
1.Unknown. 2.WSWENE. 3.Oval. In the grave several steps were observed. 4.0.43m.
5.L:2.31m; W:1.16m. 6.1.53m. 7.In the ll of the grave prehistoric pottery fragments were
discovered. The rst step showed traces of timber. On this level a fragment of a long-bone was
found. The grave did not contain any other bones (1). 8.Grave-goods: 1.On the bottom of the
grave a gilded bronze ring was found, which could not be identied in the deposit of the IAAH.
Grave 13 (Pl.11)
1. Unknown. 2. SWNE. 3. Approximately oval. 4. 0.38 m. 5. L: 2.18 m; W: 1.02 m.
6.1.26m. 7.Disturbed grave. In the ll pottery fragments, an animal bone and two horse teeth
were found. On the bottom of the grave a few human bones lied in secondary position (1).
8.Without grave-goods.
Grave 14 (Pl.12; Pl.37/9)
1.Man. 2.WSWENE. 3.Oval. 4.0.68cm. 5.L:2.52m; W:1.18m. 6.1.56m. 7.Disturbed
grave. In the ll pottery and bone fragments were found, among them a skull fragment, too. On
the bottom two small bone fragments were discovered in secondary position. In the southern
half of the grave, in a roughly parallel line with the edge of the grave, wooden traces were
observed (1). 8.Grave-goods: 1.In the south-eastern part of the grave, near the wooden traces,
iron spearhead. The blade has longish leaf shape having a rib in the middle. It was xed with the
help of a closed socket with circular section. L:33.50cm; Lsocket:12.80cm; Wblade: 3.10cm; Dsocket:
1.281.80cm; Thblade: 1.20cm; M: 282 g (2). 2.On the northern side of the wooden traces rectangular buckle. According to the documentation, it was made of wood and was found in a very
poor state of preservation. It could not be identied in the deposit of the IAAH.
Grave 15 (Pl.13)
1.Animal grave. 2.WSWENE. 3.Oval. 4.0.25m. 5.L:1.93m; W:0.72m. 6.0.40m.
7.Disturbed grave, which contained animal bones (probably belonging to a cattle) found in secondary position (1). 8.Without grave-goods.
Grave 16 (Pl.13)
1.Unknown. 2.WSWENE. 3.Rectangular with rounded corners. Along the northern and
southern edges steps were identied; the southern one is 0.16 m high. 4.0.48m. 5.L:2.18m;
W:0.93m. 6.0.98m. 7.Disturbed grave. At 0.53 m depth animal bones were discovered. Their
exact position compared to the rest of the grave is unknown. On the bottom of the grave, in the
central area three small bone fragments were discovered. The tibiae and the legs lay in anatomic
position in the eastern part of the grave (12). 8.Grave-goods: 1.In the central area, near the bones
a fragmentary oval iron buckle. The pin is missing. L:2.40cm; W:3.90cm; Th:0.45cm; M: 11 g (3).
Grave 17 (Pl.14)
1. Unknown. 2. SWNE. 3. Oval. 4. 0.44 m. 5. L: 1.97 m; W: 0.80 m. 6. 1.07 m.
7.Disturbed grave. On the bottom a few human bones were discovered in secondary position,
among them a fragment of the skull and long-bones. In the south-western half of the grave
massive charcoal traces were observed (1). 8.Grave-goods: 1.On the north-eastern part of the
grave four fragments of the ring of an iron buckle, very poor preserved. The pin is missing.
L:approx. 3.20cm; L:approx. 5.10cm; Th:0.50cm; M: 12 g (2). 2.Towards north-east from the
68
former one a fragmentary iron object with circular section, probably awl. L:approx. 10.10cm;
Th:0.350.70cm; M: 2 g (3). 3.Towards north-east from the former one a small iron knife with
narrow blade. The point is broken. L:10.70cm; Lhandle: 3.30cm; Wblade: 0.851.30cm; Whandle:
0.62cm; Th:0.35cm; M: 9 g (4).
Grave 18 (Pl.14; Pl.39/2)
1.Unknown. 2.SWNE. 3.Rectangular, the south-western end is rounded; the north-eastern
one is straight. 4.Unknown. 5.L:2.16m; W:0.97cm. 6.0.98m. 7.Disturbed grave. At 0.80 m
depth, in the south-western half of the grave skull fragments were found in secondary position.
On the bottom of the grave, in its north-eastern half the femurs and the tibiae lay in anatomical
position. Other bones were discovered in secondary position in the south-western part of the grave
(12). 8.Grave-goods: 1.At 0.80 m depth, in the area of the skull fragments, parts of a wheelthrown ceramic vessel (among them a rim fragment and the base). Other fragments from the same
vessel were discovered on a deeper level, underneath the skull fragments. The vessel is small, its
rim is almost straight, the body is asymmetric, the maximum diameter being situated on its superior half. The base is at. The walls are thicker on the inferior part (around 0.9cm above the base)
and thinner in the area of the rim (around 0.55cm). The fabric is grained, being tempered with
sand and pebbles measuring between 0.1 and 0.6cm. The ring is reduced, the vessel having a dark
brownish grey colour. H:8.50cm; Drim: 8.70cm; Dmax: 10.17cm; Dbase: 4.33cm (3).
Grave 19 (Pl.15; Pl.36/8)
1.Man. 2.WSWENE. 3.Probably oval. 4.0.49m. 5.L (of the excavated part): 1.81m;
W:1.05m. 6.1.03m. 7.The western part of the grave was destroyed by a modern burial and
therefore only its eastern part could be excavated. In the ll, at 0.60 m depth a skull belonging
to a cattle was found. The grave was disturbed and contained only a few bones lying in secondary
position. Approximately in the middle of the grave wooden traces were observed (12). 8.Gravegoods: 1.On the wooden traces pyramid-shaped strap-retainer made of copper alloy. L:1.90cm;
W:1.80cm; H:0.86cm; M: 5 g (3). 2.Near the northern edge of the grave fragmentary iron
shield-boss (4). On the middle it has an iron nail with at head. It was xed on the shield with iron
rivets, the original number of these is unknown. D: approx. 1616.5 cm; H: 4.2 cm; Dcentralnail:
2.1cm; Hcentral nail: 1.4 cm; Drivet: 0.6 cm; M: 184 g. 3.In the ll of the grave, together with the cattle skull a int was found. Its belonging to the grave is uncertain. It could not be identied in the
deposit of the IAAH.
Context 20 (Pl.12)
1. 2.WSWENE. 3.Circular. 4.0.75m. 5.L:1.30m; W:1.07m. 6.1.09 m 7.In the
ll of the pit a pottery fragment was found. On the bottom parts of a deer antler were discovered, under one of them another pottery fragment was lying belonging to the same vessel (1).
Grave 21 (Pl.13)
1.Man + woman (?). Adults. 2.WSWENE. 3.Oval. 4.0.30m. 5.L:2.22m; W:0.65m.
6.0.70m. 7.Disturbed grave. In the ll ceramic fragments were found. In the western half
of the grave the skull, bones of the arm, ribs, vertebrae and other bone fragments were discovered in secondary position. The right femur and the two tibiae seems to be in original position
in the eastern half of the grave, the left femur was moved a bit (1). According to the anthropological analysis the grave contained the osteological remains of two persons. 8. Without
grave-goods.
69
Grave 22 (Pl.16)
1. Woman. Adult. 2. WSWENE. 3. Rectangular with rounded corners. 4. 0.30 m.
5.L:1.90m; W:0.65m. 6.0.50. 7.Disturbed grave. Most of the bones, including long-bones,
ribs, vertebrae and other fragments were situated in the western part of the grave, all of them
being in secondary position. In the eastern half of the grave other bones were discovered, also in
secondary position. Probably in original position were preserved the bones of the left leg on the
eastern end of the grave (1). 8.Without grave-goods.
Grave 23 (Pl.16; Pl.39/4; Pl.43/2)
1.Unknown. 2.WSWENE. 3.Rectangular with rounded corners. 4.0.36m. 5.L:2.33m;
W:0.93m. 6.1.28m. 7.In the grave no bones were found (1). 8.Grave-goods: 1.In the western
half of the grave wheel-thrown ceramic vessel. The rim is almost straight (very slightly everted),
the neck is short, the maximum diameter is situated approximately on the middle of the vessel,
the base is at. The walls are relatively thin (0.6cm at the rim), the surface is smooth. The fabric
is coarse and is tempered with sand and pebbles measuring between 0.10 and 0.30cm. The colour of the vessel is not uniform, it varies between dark brick-red and dark brown. The body of the
vessel is decorated with an incised wavy line starting slightly under the maximum diameter and
continuing until the neck which gives the impression of three parallel wavy lines. H:14.00cm;
Drim: 8.50cm; Dmax: 13.20cm; Dbase: 6.43cm (2).
Grave 24 (Pl.16; Pl.42/3)
1. Man. 2. WSWENE. 3. Oval. Along the southern edge there was a 0.10 m high and
approx. 0.15 m wide step. 4.0.40m. 5.L:2.31m; W:0.80m. 6.1.00m. 7.Disturbed grave. On
the western end of the grave a fragment of the skull and other small bones were found. Probably
in original position were preserved the femurs and the tibiae in the eastern half of the grave (1).
8.Grave-goods: 13.Near the fragmentary skull three small iron fragments. 4.Towards east from
the skull small iron fragment. 5.Above the left femur small iron fragment. 6.In the south-eastern
corner of the grave, near the right foot iron spearhead pointing towards east. 7.On the western
end of the grave, above the skull, fragmentary ceramic vessel of reddish colour. The grave-goods
could not be identied in the deposit of the IAAH.
Grave 25 (Pl.17; Pl.43/3)
1. Unknown (adult). 2. WSWENE. 3. Rectangular with rounded corners. Along the
southern edge there was a 0.26 m high and approx. 0.20 m wide step. 4.0.50m. 5.L:2.16m;
W:0.98m. 6.1.24m. 7.Disturbed grave. At 0.88 m depth a fragmentary horse mandible was
found. On the bottom of the grave, on the western end, the skull was discovered together with
other bones lying in secondary position. In the eastern half of the grave the two tibiae were
situated in original position. Near the right foot, next to the step reddish wooden traces were
observed (12). 8.Without grave-goods.
Grave 26 (Pl.17)
1.Unknown. 2.WSWENE. 3.Rectangular, the western edge is rounded; the eastern one is
straight with rounded corners. 4.0.21m.5.L:2.00m; W:0.70m. 6.0.42m. 7.Disturbed grave.
In the western half of the grave a fragment of the mandible, bones of the arms, ribs and vertebrae
were found. Approximately in the middle of the grave another group of bones was discovered in
secondary position. Near the north-eastern corner a tibia was situated, possibly in original position (1). 8.Grave goods: 1.Near the bones in the western half of the grave a fragmentary oval
iron buckle. L:1.10cm; W:3.00cm; Th:0.55cm; Lpin: 1.47cm (2). 2.In the centre of the grave,
near the bones an oval buckle made of copper alloy. The pin is missing. L:1.22cm; W:2.55cm;
Th:0.40cm; M: 5 g (3).
70
Grave 27 (Pl.18; Pl.44/23)

1.Unknown. 2.WSWENE. 3.Rectangular, the western edge is straight with rounded corners, the eastern one is rounded. 4.Unknown. 5.L:1.90m; W:0.89m. 6.0.97.7.In the grave
no bones were found excepting a tooth (1). 8.Grave-goods: 1.In the south-western quarter of the
grave a ring made of copper alloy. D:2.00cm; Th:0.200.35cm; M: 2 g (4). 2.Near the ring an
oval iron buckle. The pin is fragmentary. L:2.06cm; W:3.75cm; Th:0.40cm; Lpin: 2.20cm; M:8g
(2). 3.Fragments of an iron knife. W:0.402.00cm; Th:0.35cm; M: 19 g (3).
Grave 29 (Pl.19)
1. Unknown (child?). 2. WNWESE. 3. Rectangular with rounded corners. 4. 0.20 m.
5.L:1.79m; W:0.500.66m. 6.0.41m. 7.Disturbed grave. The edges were marked with stone
slabs (due to the reopening of the grave a few of these were found in secondary position). The
grave contained only a few bones, among them a fragment of the skull. The right tibia and the
bones of the right leg were probably in original position in the south-eastern corner of the grave
(1). 8.Grave-goods: 1.In the centre of the grave a small iron knife with relatively wide blade. The
end of the handle is broken. L:10.15cm; Lblade: 8.05cm; Wblade: 0.501.60cm; Whandle: 0.77cm;
Th:0.38cm; M: 10 g (2).
Grave 30 (Pl.17)
1.Child. 2.WNWESE. 3.Oval. Along the northern edge there was a 0.08 m high and
approx. 0.10 m wide step. 4.0.24m. 5.L:1.22m; W:0.56m. 6.0.47m. 7.In the grave only two
long-bones were discovered (1). 8.Without grave-goods.
Grave 31 (Pl.20; Pl.45/12)
1.Unknown. 2.WSWENE. 3.Rectangular with rounded corners. Along the northern
and the southern edges there were two approx. 0.15 m wide steps. The northern one was 0.19
m high. 4.0.42m. 5.L:1.94m; W:0.76m. 6.1.08m. 7.Disturbed grave. The skull was found
next to the western edge. The collar bones and the left arm were also preserved, probably in
original position. The tibiae were discovered in the eastern part of the grave. In two places,
approximately in the middle of the grave, leather traces were observed (1). 8.Grave-goods:
1.Near the right shoulder fragmentary iron scissors made of an iron bar with rectangular section, bent in the middle. The points of both of the blades are broken. L:15.35cm; W:2.70cm;
Th:0.70cm; M: 38 g (2).
Grave 32 (Pl.20)
1.Unknown. 2.WSWENE. 3.Rectangular with rounded corners. Along the edges (except
the eastern one), following the shape of the grave, there was a 0.490.52 m high and approx.
0.040.10 m wide step. Along the southern edge, inside of the mentioned step, another one was
identied having 0.34 m height and approx. 0.13 m width. 4.0.30m. 5.L:2.50m; W:0.84m.
6.1.03m. 7.Disturbed grave. In the ll, at 0.88 m depth a long-bone was found together with
a ceramic fragment. On the bottom of the grave other long-bones and human teeth were discovered (12). 8.Grave-goods: 1.In the south-western corner of the grave, placed on the second
step, a reddish wheel-thrown ceramic vessel with very thin walls, in fragmentary state of preservation. It was not identied in the deposit of IAAH.
Grave 33 (Pl.18)
1.Child (?). 2.WSWENE. 3.Oval. Inside a 0.68 m high step was idendtied which followed the shape of the grave. Its width varied between 0.12 m and 0.17m, except the western
edge of the grave where it reached 0.56m. On the western part there was a second step of 0.50m
71
height and approx. 0.20m. width. 4.0.30m. 5.L:1.76m; W:0.66m. 6.1.23m. 7.The grave was
empty (1). 8.Without grave-goods.
Grave (?) 34 (Pl.21; Pl.46/1)
1.Unknown. 2.WE. 3.Oval. 4.0.38m. 5.L:approx. 1.90m; W:1.25m. 6.1.20m. 7.On
the eastern part it was cut by grave 35.On the bottom traces of charcoal were identied. A small
pottery fragment of grey colour, thrown of wheel, was found, too (it was not identied in the
deposit of IAAH) (1). 8.Without grave-goods.
Grave 35 (Pl.19; Pl.36/9; Pl.39/3; Pl.46/12)
1.Unknown. 2.WSWENE. 3.Oval, on the eastern end is narrower. Along the northern and the southern edges steps were identied. The northern one was approx. 0.12 m wide,
the southern one approx. 0.16 m wide and 0.24 m high. 4.0.25m. 5.L:1.70m; W:0.64
0.91m. 6.1.00m. 7.On the western part it overlapped the grave 34.Disturbed grave. On
the bottom a few skull fragments, long-bones and teeth were found in secondary position
(1). 8.Grave-goods: 1.Approximately in the centre of the grave rectangular iron buckle with
rectangular section. The pin is fragmentary. L:3.86cm; W:3.05cm; Th:0.60cm; M: 15 g (3).
2.In the south-western corner of the grave, next to the wall, wheel-thrown ceramic vessel.
The 0.70cm high rim is slightly everted, the body is asymmetric having its maximum diameter on the inferior half. The base is at. The walls are relatively thin (0.50cm at the rim).
In a few places the surface shows traces of polishing. The fabric is ne and is tempered with
sand. The vessel has light grey colour and is not decorated. H:11.50cm; Drim: 7.70cm; Dmax:
12.50cm; Dbase: 6.25cm (2).
Grave 36 (Pl.21)
1.Children (?). 2.WSWENE. 3.Oval. 4.0.45m. 5.L:1.76m; W:0.71m. 6.0.96m.
7.Disturbed grave. In the western half fragments of two skulls and other bones were discovered.
At the eastern end two long-bones were found (1). 8.Grave-goods: 1.In the south-western corner
of the grave small hand-made ceramic vessel of greyish colour. It was not identied in the deposit
of IAAH.
Grave 37 (Pl.21; Pl.45/3)
1.Man. Adult. 2.WSWENE. 3.Oval. Along the long sides of the grave steps were identied, their width varies between 0.05 and 0.18m, the southern one is 0.80 m high. In the southeastern corner of the grave there was a second step of 0.60 m height. 4.0.43m. 5.L. (of the
excavated part): 1.93m; W:1.05m. 6.1.35m. 7.The south-western part of the grave was not
excavated. Disturbed grave. At 0.64 m depth two long-bones and other small bone fragments
were discovered. On the bottom, in the south-western half of the grave other bones were found
in secondary position, among them fragments of the skull and the mandible, long-bones etc. In
the north-eastern part the two tibiae were situated (possibly in situ) and the two femurs in secondary position. One of them was in vertical position being leant against the wall of the grave.
Parallel to the north-western edge traces of carbonized timber were observed having a longish
shape (12). 8.Without grave-goods.
Grave 38 (Pl.22)
1.Child. Infans II (910 years). 2.WSWENE. 3.Oval. 4.Unknown. 5.L:2.26m; W:1.23m.
6.1.06m. 7.Disturbed grave. On the bottom a few bones were found in secondary position. In
the south-western part of the grave wooden traces were observed (1). 8.Without grave-goods.
72
Context 39 (Pl.23)
1. 2. 3.Circular. 4.Unknown. 5.L:1.97m; W:2.02m. 6.1.23m. 7.It partially intersected grave 41.Approximately in the centre of the pit, at 0.30 m depth a skull belonging to
a cattle was found. On the bottom of the grave traces of burn and charcoal were observed (1).
Grave 40 (Pl.22; Pl.37/7; Pl.47)
1.Woman (?). 2.Unknown. 3.Rectangular, the eastern part is narrower. Along the walls
of the grave (except the eastern one) a step was identied; its width varies between 0.10 and
0.20m. 4.Unknown. 5.L:2.05m; W:0.871.10m. 6.Unknown. 7.Disturbed grave. On the bottom human teeth and a small bone were found (1). 8.Grave-goods: 1.Between the teeth 26 beads
of dierent shape and colour: a. Bead of larger dimensions with slightly longish shape and dark
grey colour. L:0.76cm; Th:0.60cm; b. Fragmentary bead with similar shape and colour to the former one, but of smaller dimensions, in a very poor state of preservation. L:0.50cm; Th:0.53cm.
c. Longish bead with double spherical shape in a very poor state of preservation. L: 0.90 cm;
Th:0.55cm. d. Two small cylindrical beads of green colour. L:0.200.25cm; Th:0.30cm. e.20
small beads of dark grey colour; two of them are in very poor state of preservation. L: 0.23
0.26cm; D:0.340.43cm. f. Fragmentary bead of indeterminable shape (2). 2.In the eastern part
of the grave circular ring made of copper alloy. D:3.15cm; Th:0.20cm; M: 4 g (3). 3.Near the
ring iron knife. The end of the handle is broken. L:8.55cm; Lhandle: 2.00cm; Wblade: 0.701.25cm;
Whandle: 0.75cm; Th:0.40cm; M: 7 g (4). 4.Towards east from the ring fragment of an iron object
with circular section, probably awl. L:7.85cm; Th:0.40cm; M: 5 g (5).
Grave 41 (Pl.24)
1.Woman (?). 2.WSWENE. 3.Quadrangular, the northern side is shorter. On the eastern part the corners are rounded. Along the southern edge there was a 0.28 m high and approx.
0.17m wide step. Near the northern edge another smaller step was identied with approx. 0.06m
width. 4.0.27m. 5.L:1.952.30m; W:0.92m. 6.0.91m. 7.Disturbed grave. On the bottom
long-bones and teeth were found in secondary position. In the central area of the grave two small
leather traces were observed. In the south-eastern corner wooden traces were identied (1).
8.Grave-goods: 1.In the western part of the grave three beads. 2.Approximately in the centre of
the grave, near the bones and one of the leather trace, fragment of a ring. The grave-goods were
not identied in the deposit of IAAH.
Grave 42 (Pl.23; Pl.38/24)
1. Woman. 2. WSWENE. 3. Rectangular with rounded corners, the eastern end is narrower. 4.0.30m. 5.L:2.10m; W:0.480.77m. 6.0.60m. 7.Disturbed grave. In the western half
of the grave several bones were found in secondary position, among them fragments of the skull
and the mandible, long-bones etc. (1). 8.Grave-goods. 1.Near the skull fragments three beads
made of glass paste. a. Brown bead decorated with white painted crossing wavy lines. L:0.80cm;
Th:0.95cm (4). b. Cylindrical bead of green colour. L:0.80cm; W:0.55cm; Th:0.35cm (5).
c. The third bead was not identied in the deposit of IAAH. 2.In the central area of the grave,
between the bones, small buckle made of copper alloy. It has a rectangular proled ring and
semicircular plate cast together with the ring. It was xed with the help of three small rivets with
circular head. The pin was made of iron (only a very small fragment was preserved) and was xed
in a small orice situated on the plate. L:2.95cm; Lplate: 1.40cm; Wring: 2.18 cm; Wplate: 2.03cm;
Thring: 0.44cm; Thplate: 0.22cm; Drivet head:0.350.45cm; Hrivet: 0.660.85cm; M: 7 g (3). 3.Three
rivets made of copper alloy. H:0.50cm; Dhead:0.15cm; Th:0.33cm (68). 4.On the right side of
the bones three fragments of an iron ring. D:approx. 4.80cm; Th:0.40cm; M: 4 g (2).
73
Grave 43 (Pl.25; Pl.46/3)

1. Men. Senilis (over 60 years). 2. WSWENE. 3. Rectangular with rounded corners.
4.0.30m. 5.L:2.41m; W:0.72m. 6.0.50m. 7.Partially disturbed grave. The deceased was buried in supine position, the arms were stretched along the body. Probably in original position were
situated the mandible, the majority of the vertebrae, the right humerus, partially the left arm and
hand, the two femurs and tibiae, and the legs. The skull was found on the spine, approximately
in the height of the elbows. The rest of the bones were discovered in secondary position (1).
8.Grave-goods: 1.In the western part of the grave, above the mandible fragmentary hand-made
ceramic vessel. The rim is everted, the neck is short. The body is somewhat asymmetric the maximum diameter being situated slightly above the middle of the vessel. The base is at. The fabric
is coarse and is tempered with sand and pebbles. It has brownish red colour and is not decorated.
H:13.50cm; Drim: 8.38cm; Dmax: 9.65cm; Dbase: 5.82cm (2).
Grave 44 (Pl.24; Pl.40/2; Pl.48/1)
1. Unknown. 2. WSWENE. 3. Oval. 4. 0.15 m. 5. L: 2.22 m; W: 0.70 cm. 6. 0.80 m.
7. Disturbed grave. On the bottom of the grave a few bone fragments were found in secondary position (1). 8.Grave-goods: 1.In the centre of the grave rhombic iron arrowhead pointing
towards east. It has a socket with circular section. L:6.70cm; W:1.68cm; Th:0.25cm; M: 8 g (3).
2.In the western end of the grave hand-made ceramic vessel of poor quality. The rim is slightly
everted, a part of it is missing. The body is almost straight, the base is at and thick. The walls are
relatively thick (around 0.70cm). The fabric is coarse, and is tempered with sand and pebbles.
The ring is reduced, the vessel having dark brown colour. It is not decorated. H:8.64cm; Drim:
6.86cm; Dmax: 8.60cm; Dbase: 7.88cm (2).
Grave 45 (Pl.25; Pl.48/2)
1.Unknown. 2.WSWENE. 3.Rectangular with rounded corners. 4.0.15m. 5.L:2.16cm;
W:1.00m. 6.1.28m. 7.Disturbed grave. On the bottom only a fragment of a long-bone was
found. Near the northern side wooden traces were observed having a longish shape. In the western part of the grave, 0.15 m above the bottom a slab of sandstone was discovered (1). 8.Without
grave-goods.
Grave 46 (Pl.25; Pl.48/3)
1.Child. 2.WSWENE. 3.Rectangular with rounded corners. The eastern end is rounded.
4.0.15m. 5.L:1.22m; W:0.60m. 6.1.10m. 7.Disturbed grave. On the bottom, in the central area,
skull fragments were discovered (1). 8.Grave-goods: 1.Near the skull fragments iron knife with short
handle and narrow blade. The end of the blade is broken. L:9.75cm; Lhandle: 1.30cm; Whandle: 0.60cm;
Wblade: 0.501.15cm; Th:0.28cm; M: 6.50 g (2). 2.Two fragments of hand-made pottery.
Grave 47 (Pl.26; Pl.37/6; Pl.38/8; Pl.49/1)
1.Unknown. 2.WSWENE. 3.Rectangular with rounded corners. The western end is narrower. 4.0.15m. 5.L:2.31m; W:1.17m. 6.1.30m. 7.Disturbed grave. Only in the western
half were found bones. The fragmentary skull, the collar bones, the left humerus and a few
vertebrae probably lay in original position. The basin and the bones of the legs are completely
missing. On the right side of the skeleton, approximately in the height of the basin leather traces
were observed. On the northern edge of the grave, near the left humerus, traces of carbonized
timber were identied (1). 8.Grave-goods: 1.Near the leather trace spring of a brooch made of
a thick copper alloy wire with circular section. L:4.25cm; Th:0.75cm; Thwire: 0.33cm; M: 5 g
(3). 2.On the leather traces small buckle made of copper alloy. It was cast in one and has an oval
ring and a shield-shaped plate. The pin is missing, on the basis of the rust traces observed before
74
the restoration of the buckle, it was made of iron. L: 2.55 cm; Lplate: 1.30 cm; Wring: 2.10 cm;
Wplate: 1.38cm; Thring: 0.35cm; Thplate: 0.27cm; M: 4 g (4). 3.Under the buckle small leather
piece with two rivets with circular and at head, made of copper alloy. L:2.13cm; W:1.97cm;
Th:0.10cm; Drivet: 0.500.70cm; Hrivet: 0.700.80cm (5). 4.In the same area small timber fragment with a rivet with circular head, made of copper alloy. L:3.70cm; W:2.00cm; Th:1.40cm;
Drivet: 1.15cm. 5.In the same area small iron fragments. 6.In the same area, but on the left side
iron knife. It was not identied in the deposit of IAAH. 7.Near the handle of the knife fragment of an iron ring in a very poor state of preservation. 8.In the south-western corner of the
grave, on the right side of the skull, wheel-thrown ceramic vessel. The rim is slightly everted and
asymmetric being approximately 1.00cm high. The neck is short, the body is asymmetric, the
maximum diameter is situated on the superior half of the vessel. The base is at. The fabric is
coarse and is tempered with sand and pebbles measuring between 0.10 and 0.50cm. The ring
is reduced, the colour is light grey. It is not decorated. H:12.52cm; Drim: 8.8010.20cm; Dmax:
15.50cm; Dbase:7.40cm (2).
Grave 48 (Pl.27; Pl.37/8; Pl.49/2)
1.Unknown. 2.WSWENE. 3.Oval, the eastern edge is straight. In the north-western corner there was a 0.36 m high and approx. 0.12 m wide step following the shape of the grave.
4.0.15m. 5.L:2.03m; W:1.07m. 6.1.02m. 7.Disturbed grave. In the western part of the grave
fragments of the skull and the mandible and a long-bone were found. In the eastern half a fragmentary long-bone (probably tibia) was discovered. All the bones lay in secondary position. In
the south-eastern corner of the grave traces of carbonized timber were identied (1). 8.Gravegoods: 1.In the south-western corner of the grave horn-shaped earring made of copper alloy and
decorated with incised parallel lines. On the surface traces of gilding were observed. H:1.90cm;
W:2.10cm; Th:0.100.50cm; M: 3 g (2).
Grave 49 (Pl.28; Pl.40/1; Pl.49/3)
1.Unknown. 2.WSWENE. 3.Rectangular with rounded corners, the eastern edge is rounded.
In the eastern third of the grave there was a 0.75 m high step. Along the southern edge a 0.18 m high
and approx. 0.23 m wide step was identied. Along the northern edge there was another step of
0.12 m height and approx. 0.33 m width. 4.0.30m. 5.L:2.53m; W:1.02m. 6.1.40m. 7.Disturbed
grave. On the bottom a few fragmentary bones and teeth were found in secondary position. Near the
northern edge of the grave, at 0.92 m depth, wooden traces were observed which continued until
the bottom. Other wooden traces were identied in the central part of the grave. At the western
end the bottom of the grave was covered by slabs of sandstone (1). 8.Grave-goods: 1.In the western
part, on one of the stones fragments of an unidentiable iron object. 2.In the eastern half, on the
step situated along the northern edge, wheel-thrown ceramic vessel. The approx. 1.20cm high rim
is slightly everted. The neck is short (around 0.60cm), the body is double-conic, the maximum
diameter is situated slightly under the middle of the vessel. The base is at. The walls are relatively
thin (approx. 0.40 cm at the rim). The fabric is coarse and is tempered with sand and pebbles
measuring between 0.10 and 0.40cm. The colour is not uniform, it varies between brownish grey
and dark grey. H:13.70cm; Drim: 10.42cm; Dmax: 13.57cm; Dbase: 7.50cm (2).
Grave 50 (Pl.29; Pl.40/3; Pl.50/1)
1. Man. Senilis (over 60 years). 2. WSWENE. 3. Oval. Along each long side steps were
identied having 0.40 m and 0.30 m height respectively. 4.0.30m. 5.L:2.70m; W:1.18m.
6.1.60m. 7.Partially disturbed grave. The skeleton was laid on his back, the skull was slightly
turned to the right. The area of the chest was disturbed; several ribs, vertebrae and both of the
forearms were missing. The legs were stretched parallel one to the other. Along the northern
75
edge of the grave, in a line, wooden traces were identied. Other smaller traces of wood were
observed also in the western and south-western edge of the grave. In the south-eastern part of the
burial pit, next to the southern edge, slabs of sandstone were lying (1). 8.Grave-goods: 1.Near
the left hip iron knife pointing towards east (3). 2.Near the right upper arm hand-made ceramic
vessel. The rim is almost straight and is decorated with incised lines. The neck is short, the body
is globular and slightly asymmetric, the maximum diameter being situated approximately in the
middle of the vessel. The base is at. The fabric is coarse and is tempered with sand and pebbles
measuring between 0.10 and 0.70cm. The vessel has a dark brick-red colour with brownish spots.
H:11.22cm; Drim: 10.15cm; Dmax: 12.45cm; Dbase: 8.23cm (2).
Grave (?) 51 (Pl.27)
1. Unknown. 2. WSWENE. 3. Irregular. 4. 0.25 m. 5. L: 2.85 m; W: 0.901.40 m.
6.1.70m. 7.Disturbed grave (?), which was empty (1). 8.Without grave-goods.
Grave 52 (Pl.26)
1.Child (?). 2.WSWENE. 3.Rectangular with rounded corners. 4.0.70m. 5.L:1.73m;
W:0.65m. 6.1.30m. 7.Disturbed grave, the western end was not excavated. On the bottom a
few long-bones, teeth, and skull fragments were discovered in secondary position (1). 8.Without
grave-goods.
Grave 53 (Pl.27)
1.Child. 2.WSWENE. 3.Rectangular with rounded corners. Along the southern, eastern,
and northern edges steps were identied. 4.0.30m. 5.L:1.45m; W:1.00m. 6.1.00m. 7.Disturbed
grave, the eastern end was not excavated. On the bottom two long-bones and a tooth were discovered.
On the whole surface of the grave and on the walls traces of wood were identied, which next to the
walls reached a 0.30 m height (1). 8.Grave-goods: 1.On the bottom of the grave two small pottery
fragments were discovered which could not be identied in the IAAH.
Grave 54 (Pl.2930; Pl.38/1)
1.Unknown. 2.WSWENE. 3.Rectangular with rounded corners. In the eastern part there
was a step of 0.10 m height. 4.0.30m. 5.L:2.40m; W:1.05m. 6.1.20m. 7.Disturbed grave.
The eastern end was intersected by grave 58 which was probably later. On the bottom of the
grave, approximately in the centre, a long-bone was discovered. Another long-bone and a few
skull fragments were found in the western part of the grave (30/1). 8. Grave-goods: 1. In the
north-western corner of the grave oval iron buckle. The pin is missing. It has a triangular iron
plate which was fastened on the belt with two iron sheets placed on its back perpendicular one to
the other and xed with three rivets with spherical head made of copper alloy. L:8.60cm; Lbuckle
: 2.80cm; Lplate: 5.30cm; Wbuckle ring: 5.70cm; Wplate: 3.45cm; Thbuckle ring: 0.52cm; Thplate: 0.35cm;
ring
Hrivets: 0.830.90cm; Drivets: 0.750.90cm; M: 42 g (30/2). 2.In the south-western corner of the
grave small iron fragments. One of them has two rivets made of copper alloy, another fragment
has one rivet. L (of the biggest fragment): 3.02cm; W:4.24cm; Th:0.55cm; Hrivet: 0.80cm;
Drivet: 0.85cm (29/1). 3.In the western part of the grave rivet made of copper alloy. H:1.18cm;
Dhead:0.80cm; Th:0.38cm; M: 2 g. 4.Approximately in the centre of the grave iron brooch (?) in
an extremely poor state of preservation.
Grave 55 (Pl.30; Pl.50/2)
W:1.22m. 6.1.50m. 7.Disturbed grave. In the ll of the grave parts of the skull, teeth, and
other bone fragments were discovered. On the bottom other fragmentary bones were found in
secondary position (1). 8.Without grave-goods.
76
Grave 56 (Pl.28)
W:1.32m. 6.1.60m. 7.Partially disturbed grave. The skull, respectively the femurs and the tibiae
were discovered in anatomical position, but in a poor state of conservation. The fragmentary skull
was slightly turned to the left. The legs were stretched parallel one to the other. The upper part of
the body was disturbed, only few bones were preserved (1). 8.Grave-goods: 1.On the right side of
the upper part of the skeleton fragmentary iron strap-end. L (of the biggest fragment): 4.30cm;
W:2.95cm; Th:0.54cm (23). 2.In the same area, towards north, oval iron buckle in a very poor
state of preservation. L:4.80cm; W:5.78cm; Th:1.05cm; M: 49 g (5). 3.In the area of the basin
small kidney-shaped iron buckle. L:2.20cm; W:2.90cm; Th:0.35cm; M: 5 g (4). 4.On the right
side of the skull a very poor preserved small iron fragment with a rivet made of copper alloy. 5.In
the area of the basin iron fragments with rivets made of copper alloy, probably belonging to the belt.
They were discovered in an extremely poor state of preservation, thus they could not be saved.
Grave 57 (Pl.31; Pl.50/3)
1. Woman. Adult. 2. WSWENE. 3. Irregular. In the south-eastern part there were three
steps. In the north-western part another step was identied, having 0.10 m height. 4.0.80m.
5.L:2.49m; W:1.18m. 6.1.67m. 7.Partially disturbed grave. The majority of the bones were
situated in the western end of the grave. It seems that the fragmentary skull and the upper arms
lay in anatomic position, the skull being slightly turned to the right. The area of the chest was
totally disturbed, only few bones being preserved. It is possible that the left femur was also in
original position. On the left side of the skull a long-bone and other small bones were discovered.
In the eastern part of the grave skull fragments and other small bones were found, being situated
0.12m above the bottom of the burial pit (1). 8.Grave-goods: 1.In the area of the neck fragmentary
iron knife. L:approx. 12.00cm; W:1.30cm; Th:0.55cm; M: 10 g (2).
Grave 58 (Pl.31)
1. Unknown. 2. WSWENE. 3. Oval. 4. 0.30 m. 5. L: 2.23 m; W: 0.68 m. 6. 0.90 m.
7.Disturbed grave. On the western end it is intersected by grave 54, probably the latter being
earlier. In the eastern half of the grave three teeth were discovered. A fragmentary long-bone
was found in the south-eastern corner (1). 8.Grave-goods: 1.Near the teeth fragment of a thin
wire made of copper alloy. L:1.45cm; W:0.20cm; Th:0.10cm (3). 2.Near the long-bone another
fragment of a thin wire made of copper alloy. One of the ends is bent. L:2.75cm; W:0.23cm;
Th:0.10cm (2). 3.In the same area small iron fragments in a very poor state of preservation.
Grave 59 (Pl.32)
1.Unknown. 2.WSWENE. 3.Oval (?).Along the northern wall there was a 0.55 m high
step. 4.0.25m. 5.L (of the excavated surface): 1.75m; W:1.12m. 6.1.20m. 7.Disturbed
grave. The western end was not excavated. Only a few bones and teeth were discovered in
secondary position. In the ll of the grave ceramic fragments were found. Along the northern
edge a wide trace of wood was identied (1). 8.Grave-goods: 12.In the western half of the
grave two simple horn-shaped earrings made of copper alloy wire with circular section. One
of them is broken in two. H1: 1.46cm; H2: 1.20cm; W1: 1.74cm; W2: 1.35cm; Th:0.20cm; M:
under 1 g (23).
Grave 60 (Pl.33; Pl.51/1)
1.Unknown. 2.WSWENE. 3.Rectangular with rounded corners. The northern edge is
curved. 4.0.35m. 5.L:2.41m; W:1.44m. 6.1.47m. 7.Disturbed grave in which no human bones
were found. In the eastern end two small animal bones were discovered, probably belonging to
77
a fowl. Along the northern and the southern walls traces of wood were identied (1). 8.Without
grave-goods.
Grave 61 (Pl.32; Pl.51/23)
1. Unknown. 2. WSWENE. 3. Rectangular with rounded corners. Along the northern
wall there was a 0.08 m high step. 4.0.40m. 5.L:1.84m; W:0.96m. 6.1.70m. 7.Disturbed
grave. In the centre 16 teeth were discovered. Towards west other teeth, towards south-east
fragmentary bones were found, among them skull fragments and long-bones (1). 8.Grave-goods:
1. Approximately in the centre of the grave fragmentary ring with semicircular section made
of lead. D:approx. 6.40cm; Th:0.46cm; M: 21 g (2). 2.Near the teeth cylindrical iron object.
L:1.68cm; D:2.50cm; Th:0.23cm; M: 16 g (3). 3.Near the bones fragmentary iron knife; the
inferior part is missing. L (of the preserved part): 6.25cm; Lhandle: 2.38cm; W:1.60cm; Whandle:
0.68cm; Th:0.30cm; M: 8 g (4). 4.Fragmentary iron strap-end (the superior part is missing) with
rounded end. Its place in the grave is unknown. L (of the preserved part): 3.87cm; W:2.16cm;
Th:0.20cm; M: 4 g (5).
Grave 62 (Pl.34)
1.Unknown. 2.WSWENE. 3.Oval, the western part is larger. 4.0.30m. 5.L:2.34m;
W:1.13m. 6.1.30m. 7.Disturbed grave in which only one small bone was found in secondary
position (1). 8. Grave-goods: 1. In the western end of the grave fragments of a wheel-thrown
ceramic vessel, being spread on a relative large area. A few sherds belonging to the same vessel
were discovered in the ll of the grave. The rim is almost straight, the neck is cylindrical. The
body is asymmetric, the maximum diameter being situated slightly under the middle of the vessel. The base is fragmentary and quite narrow. The fabric is grained being tempered with sand
and pebbles measuring between 0.10 and 1.20cm. The vessel has a dark brick-red colour with
brownish spots and is undecorated. H:11.22cm; Drim: 11.05cm; Dmax: 12.80cm (2).
Grave 63 (Pl.33; Pl.52/1)
W:1.28m. 6.1.16m. 7.Disturbed grave. On the bottom several bones were found lying in secondary position. A few bones, as well as two small pottery fragments were discovered in the ll
of the grave. Parallel to the northern and southern wall, respectively in the north-eastern corner
of the grave traces of wood were observed (1). 8.Without grave-goods.
Grave 64 (Pl.33; Pl.52/2)
1. Unknown. 2. WSWENE. 3. Rectangular with rounded corners; the western part is
larger. 4.0.30m. 5.L:2.44m; W:1.14m. 6.1.30m. 7.Partially disturbed grave. The femurs
and the tibiae were discovered in the eastern half of the grave in anatomical position which
suggests that the corpse was placed on the back, having the legs stretched parallel one to the
other. In the western part two long-bones were found. A part of the skull lay in the area of the
basin, other fragments were situated near the right femur, 0.200.25 m above the bottom of the
grave (1). 8.Grave-goods: 1.Next to the left femur iron knife pointing towards east. L:12.95cm;
Lhandle:3.45cm; W:1.40cm; Whandle: 0.80cm; Th:0.40cm; M: 13 g (2).
Grave 65 (Pl.34; Pl.40/4; Pl.52/3)
1.Unknown. 2.WSWENE. 3.Rectangular with rounded corners; the eastern part is larger.
4.0.30m. 5.L:2.08m; W:1.03m. 6.1.33m. 7.Totally disturbed grave. On the bottom several
bones were discovered in secondary position (1). 8.Grave-goods: 1.In the south-western corner
a fragmentary wheel-thrown ceramic vessel. The rim is almost straight, the neck is short. The
78
body is globular, the maximum diameter being situated on the superior half of the vessel. The
base is at, the walls are thin. The fabric is grained being tempered with sand and pebbles measuring between 0.10 and 0.80cm. It has a greyish brown colour and is undecorated. H:11.30cm;
Drim:8.65cm; Dmax: 12.00cm; Dbase: 7.00cm (2).
Isolated nds
In 1972 a few objects were discovered probably in the area of grave 1VWZ and pits 2-5
without having a clear context:
1. Iron pin (?) with circular section on the inferior part. The superior part is at. L: 8.55 cm;
W: 0.25-0.50 cm; Th: 0.200.25; M: 3 g. (Pl. 4/A).
2. Fragment of an iron blade, probably knife. L: 6.60 cm; W: 1.82 cm; Th: 0.34 cm.
3. Fragment of a sharp iron object. L: 3.88 cm; Th: 0.500.87.
79
80
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91
APPENDIX 1
OSTEOLOGICAL ANALYSIS
OF HUMAN REMAINS
By Szilrd Sndor Gl
METHODS AND MATERIAL

The Gepidic human remains have relatively good conditions of preservation. During the
anthropological analysis macroscopic and morpho-taxonomic methods were applied. The main
performed analyses are: age estimation346, sex determination347, dental analysis348, anthropometric
and osteometric analysis349, and pathology350.
MORPHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF THE OSTEOLOGICAL MATERIAL

Graves from the 5th century
Grave no. 1.
It is preserved fragmentary. The skull:parietal bones, temporal bones, the mastoid process is
accentuated. Situation of teeth:M2 (1), C, PM1, PM2, M1, M2 (2), PM2, M1, M2 (3), PM1, PM2,
M1, M2 (3), Pm2, M1, M2 (4). Dental formula: 2122.Postcranian skeleton: left and right radius
(l. of bone 211 mm), left and right ulna (l. of bone 236 mm), left tibia (l. of bone 340 mm), femur
(without the lower epiphysis, diam. of head 50 mm, linea aspera is strong), calcaneus (l. of bone
68 mm) small fragments from iliac bones.
Sex determination: male (characteristics of the skull and dimension of long bones).
Age estimation: situation of teeth show signs of an adult person.
Stature: after the methods of Sjvold and Pearson-Rsing in Martins classication is 168cm.
Animal bones: horse teeth.
Grave no. 2.
The skeleton is preserved fragmentary. The skull:frontal bone, parietal bones, temporal bones,
occipital bone, cranial base, small fragments zigomatic bones. The ecto- and endocranian sutures
are closed. Cephalometric analysis: 1: 174 mm, 8: 143 mm (the skull is short, brachicefal).
Postcranian skeleton: right humerus without proximal epiphysis, femur without epiphysis ends,
one lombar vertebra, left and right talus.
Age estimation: Maturus (4550 years old).
Sex determination: male (characteristics of the skull and dimension of long bones).
346
347
348
349
350
After STLOUKL HANKOV 1978; ISCAN LOTH WRIGHT 19841985, NEMESKRI HARSNYI
ACSDI 1960; MEINDL LOVEJOY 1985.
After RY KRALOVSZKY NEMESKRI 1963; SJVOLD 1990; RSING 1988; BERNERT 2005.
After MILES 1963.
After MARTIN SALLER 1957; ALEKSEEV DEBETS 1964.
After JZSA PAP 1994; LIPTK MARCSIK 1976.
93
Patology: arthritis on lombar vertebra351.

Grave no. 4.
The skeleton is preserved fragmentary. The skeleton was articially deformed; it shows marks
of circular distorsion type, in fronto-occipital direction352. On the interorbital area mongoloid
marks could be observed because of the deformation. Postcranian skeleton: humerus (l. of bone
275 mm, diam. of head 42 mm), tibia (l. of bone 310 mm).
Sex determination: characteristics of the skull show signs of a female.
Age estiomation: signs of the skull and the postcranian skeleton show signs of an adult person
(2830 years old).
Graves from the 67th century
Grave no. 6.
The skeleton is preserved fragmentary. The skull:mandible (the mandible has typical V shape
female). Situation of teeth:I2, C, PM1, PM2, M1, M2 (3), C, PM1, PM2, M1, M2 (4). Dental
formula 2122.Postcranian skeleton: right femur (head diam. 35mm), right bula (without proximal epiphysis ends) and right tibia (l. of bone 274mm, on the lower part of the bones could be
observed bronze marks).
Sex determination: female (dimension of long bones).
Age estimation: Juvenis (1415 years old).
Stature: after the methods of Sjvold and Pearson-Rsing in Martins classication, is 139140cm.
Grave no. 10.
The skeleton is fragmentary preserved. The skull:small fragments from parietal bones, frontal
bone, occipital bone, the ecto- and endocranian sutures are open. Situation of teeth:PM2, M1,
M2 (2), C, PM1, PM2, C, M1, M2 (4). Dental formula: 2122.
Sex determination: female (based on the characteristics of the skull).
Age estimation: situation of teeth shows signs of a Juvenis, (1617 years old).
Grave no. 21.
It is preserved fragmentary. The skull:small fragments from parietal bones, frontal bone, left
part of the mandible. Postcranian skeleton: left clavicle (length of bone 121mm), left and right
humerus, left ulna (lower epiphysis is missing), left radius (lower part of the bone is missing),
left and right femur (length of bone for female 394mm, for male 416mm, diameter of head for
female 42mm, for male 45mm), left and right tibia (lower epiphysis is missing). During the
analysis bones of two persons could be observed (3 humerus, 3 femurs and 4 tibiae). According to
the technical drawings, it was a single grave, but the box contains remains of two persons: a male
and a female (both of them are adults). Stature: after the methods of Sjvold and Pearson-Rsing
in Martins classication the female is 155cm high and the male is 168cm high.
Patology: on the right femur an entezopaty could be observed on the dorsal side of the bone (male).
Grave no. 22.
The skeleton is preserved fragmentary. Postcranian skeleton: left and right radius (l. of bone 211
mm), left and right ulna (length of bone 236 mm), calcaneus (length of bone 68 mm), iliac and
ischion bones (could be observed marks of birth), tibia without epiphysis ends.
Sex determination: characteristics of pelvis and dimension of long bones show marks of a female.
Age estimation: adult.
351
352
After LIPTK MARCSIK 1976.

LIPTK MARCSIK 1976; CZIGNY 2008.
94
Grave no. 37.

It is preserved fragmentary. The skull:fragments of parietal bones. situation of teeth:I2, C, PM1,
PM2 (1), M1 (4). Postcranian skeleton: humerus, femur, tibia without epiphysis ends, right tibia
without proximal epiphysis.
Sex determination: male (dimension of long bones).
Age estimation: ecto- and endocranian sutures show signs of an adult person.
Patology: lantern teeth (superior incisivus).
Grave no. 38.
The skeleton is fragmentary preserved.
Sex determination: it is not possible.
Age estimation: Infans II. Child (910 years old).
Grave no. 43.
The skeleton is fragmentary preserved. The skull:small fragments from parietal bones, occipital
bone, frontal part of the mandible without teeth. Postcranian skeleton: left radius (l. of bone
238mm), right femur (length of bone 468 mm, diam. of head 48 mm).
Sex determination: dimension of long bones show signs of a male.
Age estimation: Senilis (over 60 years old).
Grave no. 50.
It is preserved fragmentary. The skull: parietal bones, frontal bone, occipital bone, temporal
bones, mandible without teeth (the alveola is closed). Postcranian skeleton: left humerus without lower epiphysis, femur (length of bone 420 mm, diam. of head 34 mm), tibia (length of bone
326 mm).
Sex determination: male.
Age estimation: Senilis (over 60 years old).
Patology: .
Grave no. 57.
The skeleton is fragmentary preserved. The skull:frontal bone (the glabela is smooth), parietal
bones. teeth:I1(1). Postcranian skeleton: left and right humerus without epiphysis ends, left tibia
(length of bone 367 mm).
Sex determination: characteristics of the skull show signs of a female.
Age determination: adult.
Stature: after the methods of Sjvold and Pearson-Rsing in Martins classication is 167,08cm.
CONCLUSIONS
We have a lot of Gepidic nds from the Carpathian Basin. In Transylvania many cemeteries
were discovered along the Mure and Ariud rivers. In most of the cases the graves were robbed and
destroyed and therefore an important part of the osteological remains have bad condition (for example Vlaha, Polus-Floreti, Cmpia Turzii) or could be analysed only for sex and age determination.
The anthropological analysis was realized for two dierent cemeteries from Fntnele: 5
graves came from the 5th century (graves no. 1, 2, 4) and the rest of the graves belong to the
67th centuries. 11 Adults (6 male, 5 female) 2 Juvenis (female) and 1 Infans II child could be
95
identied. Data regarding the stature of the community from Fntnele could be obtained from 8
graves, the community had medium-high stature from both cemeteries (164,02cm). Because of
the low representation of the graves, no anthropological connection could be observed between
the two cemeteries.
Patological cases could be discovered from 4 graves: arthritis on lombar vertebra (grave
no.2), lantern teeth and caries (grave no.37), in one case could be observed articial cranial
deformation (grave no. 4), and in one case entezopaty (grave no. 21).
From the 5th century graves was identied a person with articially deformed skull (grave
no. 4). Head attening was a widespread custom among Huns, Alans and Gepids (cemeteries
from Kiszombor B, Vlaha, Floreti-Polus etc.353). The custom of articial cranial deformation
probably is not an ethnic marker354.
Because the anthropological representation of the cemetery is low we could not make
cephalometrical analysis.
References
ACSDI NEMESKRI 1970
ALEKSEEV DEBETS 1964
BARTUCZ 1939
BERNERT 2005
RY KRALOVNSZKY
NEMESKRI 1963
FTHI 2000
GL 2011
ISCAN LOTH WRIGHT 1984
ISCAN LOTH WRIGHT 1985
JZSA PAP 1994
LIPTK MARCSIK 1976
MARTIN SALLER 1957
MILES 1963
MEINDL LOVEJOY 1985
RSING 1988
SJVOLD 1990
STLOUKAL HANKOV 1978
353
354
G. Acsdi J. Nemeskri, History of Human Life Span and Mortality,

Budapest, 1970.
V. P. Alekseev G. F. Debets, Kraniometrija, Moscow, 1964.
L. Bartucz, A Magyar ember. Magyar fld, Magyar tj IV. Budapest, 1939.
Zs. Bernert, Paleoantropolgiai programcsomag, Folia Anthropologica, 3,
2005, 7175.
K. ry A. Kralovnszki J. Nemeskri, Trtneti npessgek
rekonstrukcijnak reprezentcija, AnthropKzl, 7, 1963, 4190.
E. Fthi, Anthropological conclusions of the study of Roman and Migration
periods, Acta Biologica Szegediensis, 44 (14), 2000, 8794.
Sz. S. Gl, Timioara-Freidorf. Osteological Analysis of Human remains,
Marisia 31, 2011, 283291.
M. Y. Iscan S. R. Loth R. K. Wright, Age estimation from the rib by
phase analysis: White males, J. Forensic Sci., 29, 1984, 10941104.
M. Y. Iscan S. R. Loth R. K. Wright, Age estimation from the rib by
phase analysis: White females, J. Forensic Sci., 30, 1985, 853863.
L. Jzsa I. Pap, Pathological Alteration on Articially Distorted Skull,
AHNMNH, 84, 1994, 189194.
P. Liptk A. Marcsik, Kora-npvndorlskori embertani leletek KeletMagyarorszgon, DM, 1976, 3548.
R. Martin L. Saller, Lehrbuch der Anthropologie, Stuttgart, 1957.
E. A. W. Miles, The dentition in the assessment of individual age in skeletal
material. In: D.R. Brothwell (ed.), Dental Anthropology, Oxford, 1963,
191209.
R. S. Meindl C. O. Lovejoy, Ectocranial suture closure: a revised method
for the determination of skeletal age at death based on the lateral-anterior
sutures, American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 68, 1985, 5766.
F. W. Rsing, Krperhhenrekonstruktion aus Skelettmassen. In: R.Knussmann
(ed.), Anthropologie, Band I, Stuttgart, 1988, 137167.
T. Sjvold, Estimation of stature from long bones utilizing the line of organic
correlation, Journal of Human Evolution, 5, 1990, 431447.
M. Stloukal H. Hankov, Die Lnge der Lngsknochen altslawischer
Bevlkerungen unter besonderer Bercksichtigung von Wachstumsfragen,
Homo, 29, 1978, 5369.
After GL 2011.
JZSA PAP 1994.
96
APPENDIX 2
OPTICAL MICROSCOPE INVESTIGATION

OF THE GLASS FINDS DISCOVERED AT FNTNELE
By Eszter Horvth
In autumn 2011 optical microscope investigations were carried out on six objects discovered in
the row-grave cemetery at Fntnele preserved in the archaeological collections of the Institute
of Archaeology and Art History, Cluj-Napoca. Out of them three are mounts decorated with inlays
coming from grave 1, while other three belonged to grave 6 representing loose inlays discovered without mounts. The examinations took place at the Institute of Archaeology of the Etvs
Lornd University, Budapest, Department of Archaeometry and Archaeological Methodology
and were carried out with binocular stereomicroscope and reected microscope equipped with
digital camera. The aim of the non-destructive analysis was to identify and document the technological characteristics of the objects as well as the material of the inlays. A more detailed evaluation of the results is intended to appear in a forthcoming paper.
ANALYSIS OF THE INCRUSTED MOUNTS (Pl. 5/1/24; Pl. 36/57)

On the grounds of the reddish-brown colour detectable under the greenish patina the
material of the mounts can be identied as copper-alloy; however, in lack of chemical analytical
examinations its type and exact composition remains unknown. The mounts were cast in one
piece and were fastened with the help of a rivet. In several places on the surface of all the three
objects traces of gilding can be observed (Pl. 53/1). Taking into account the thinness of the coating it seems likely that re gilding was the applied method. In order to verify this, more exactly to
detect the presence of mercury in the composition of the gilding, chemical examinations would
be necessary.
In the kidney-shaped mounts reddish inlays are set, excepting one of the pieces (Pl. 5/1/4;
Pl. 36/7). In this case the inlay had been lost possibly before the funeral took place and therefore
it oered an ideal opportunity for analyzing the inner part of the mount. The relatively thick
golden layer identied on the base of the mount of standard champlev type355 served for increasing the luster of the inlay. The golden layer strongly adheres to the inner side of the mount following even its uneven surface; it grows thinner on the edges (Pl. 53/2). On the surface there are
no traces of hammering or levelling. Based on these observations the presence of a backing foil
can be excluded; instead, the golden layer was probably created, like in the case of the exterior
surface, by re gilding. The gilding was applied directly on the surface of the copper alloy base
without showing any trace of backing paste.
355
This term French champ lev (raised plan), referring originally to enamel works applies to cells cut out from
or carved into the metal base. In standard champlev technique, the cells for inlays were cast together with the
whole object. Mounts may have been made before casting, carved into the wax model. HORVTH 2012a, 215.
97
Originally the inlays of the other two mounts, which survived, were probably translucent,
but due to the corrosion of the surface they became opaque; therefore the analysis of their inclusions was not possible (Pl. 36/56). Despite this, their material could be identied without any
doubt: the corroded surface of the inlays, the air-bubbles reaching the surface, as well as the
shell-like, conchoidal fractures on the edges indicate exclusively that the inlays were made of
glass (Pl. 53/34). The arched, shallow scratches observable on the surface can be interpreted as
traces of the selective dissolution caused by the inhomogeneity of the raw material on one hand
and of abrasion on the other (Pl. 53/3, 5). The opaque and semi-opaque crust can be considered
the trace of the early stage of laminated weathering (Pl. 53/6)356. The actual state of the inlays
suggests that the original quality of the glass was not outstanding; unfortunately there was no
possibility to identify its components and colouring agents.
The even upper surface of the glass inlays was probably nished by grinding or polishing.
In the same time, this technique was not applied on the edges of the glass plates. One of the
inlays (Pl. 36/5) follows relatively regular the kidney-shaped outline of the mount and on its
edges traces of retouching can be identied (Pl. 53/7), while the edges of the other one (Pl. 36/6)
are quite irregular, its dimensions and shape were produced through rough chipping (Pl. 53/8).
Similar to the material, the technological marks of the inlays suggest a low-quality execution.
ANALYSIS OF THE LOOSE INLAYS (Pl. 38/57)

The inlays of irregular rectangular and trapezoidal, respectively right-angled triangular
shape were discovered without the objects they belonged to; however, their unusual structure
oers precious information regarding the original mount. The upper layer of the inlays is constituted by an extremely thin (0.40.8 mm), transparent plate which was xed on a thick (4.5
5.5mm) base of reddish or yellowish nuance. Out of the three inlays only the rectangular one
preserved this original structure (Pl. 54/1). This object presents between the plate and the base a
very thin backing foil (approx. 30 m) which in the section has a silvery glitter, while from above
has a golden shine (Pl. 54/2). In the case of the trapezoidal inlay the upper transparent plate got
o from the base, and the backing foil preserved only fragmentary (Pl. 54/3, 10). Despite of this
state of preservation a similar structure to that of the rectangular inlay seems to be convincing.
The transparent plate of the triangular inlay broke o as well; on this piece no traces of the backing foil could be observed. In this case one can only presume that the structure was the same.
On the grounds of the microscope examinations it seems probable that the backing foil
was made of gilded silver, while for the xing of the individual layers a reddish, resin-like binder
was used. These presumptions can be demonstrated by instrumental analytical measurements.
Similar to the mounts from grave 1, the material of the transparent plates and of the reddish and
yellowish bases is glass. On the surface of the thin plates the characteristic air-bubbles and iridescence can be observed (Pl. 54/45). On the base also cooling striae were identied originating
from the solidifying process of the melted glass (Pl. 54/67).
On the thick glass pieces, identied as the base of the inlays, neither trace of polishing nor
of chipping could be observed. While their back is totally at, but quite roughly shaped, the edges
are slightly irregular, but have a relatively uniform surface (Pl. 54/89). On the grounds of these
observations the following manufacturing process might be reconstructed: the melted glass was
cast in a form with rough base and during the solidifying process, when the material was still soft,
the edges were cut with a sharp tool, obtaining the required shape. A wavy impression observed
on one of the ends of the trapezoidal inlay suggests that the backing foil was xed on the surface
at this stage, too, i.e. when the glass was still in soft condition (Pl. 54/10). This phenomenon is
not detectable on the other two pieces.
356
For the characteristics of the glass identiable with optical microscope see MANUTCHEHR-DANAI 2009, 385.
98
The inlays have approximately the same height which suggests that they were used as decoration for the same object. On the basis of the shape and dimensions of the inlays, this was probably a jewel or personal ornament decorated in cloisonn technique357. In comparison with the
Early Medieval inlay decorated objects known so far, the structure identied during the present
analysis seems to be unique358. The fact that the glass plates representing the upper layer are so
thin is by itself unusual, but even more interesting is that the space underneath the plates and
the backing foil was not lled with backing paste; instead, thick glass bases were used with this
purpose. It is possible that this solution was the result of a kind of experiment which, due to the
lack of the convincing analogies, in the present state of research can be considered a unique
attempt of a creative craftsman.
References
ARRHENIUS 1985
HEINRICH-TAMSKA 2006
HORVTH 2012a
HORVTH 2012b
MANUTCHEHR-DANAI 2009
357
358
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Stockholm, 1985.
O. Heinrich-Tamska, Die Stein- und Glasinkrustationskunst des 6. und 7.
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The term of this mounting technique is derived from the French word cloison (partition, barrier). Cloisonn
work is dened with reference to two criteria: it is made of separating walls that are soldered to each other. It is
composed of thin metal stripes soldered together so as to form cells, and inlays are set into these cells. HORVTH
2012a, 210.
ARRHENIUS 1985; HEINRICH-TAMSKA 2006; HORVTH 2012b.
99
100
A B B RE V IAT ION S
ActaArchHung
ActaMN
ActaMP
Acta Siculica
Agria
AHNMNH
Alba Regia
Antaeus
AnthropKzl
Anz. Germ.
Nationalmus.
APA
ArchAust
Archrt
ArchHung
ArchKorr
ArchRom
ArhMold
Bad. Fb
Ber ROB
BRGK
CCA
ComArchHung
Dacia N.S.
DM
Dolg ENM
EphNap
FMSt
Folia Anthropologica
GDV
Germania
Homo
IEC
JAM
J. Forensic Sci.
JMV
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A. Dobos, C. H. Opreanu-Migration Period and Early Medieval Cemeteries at Fántánele (VI-VII Vek)

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A. Dobos, C. H. Opreanu-Migration Period and Early Medieval Cemeteries at Fántánele (VI-VII Vek)

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Alpr Dobos

Coriolan Horaiu Opreanu

MIGRATION PERIOD AND EARLY MEDIEVAL

Patrimonium Archaeologicum Transylvanicum

INSTITUTE OF ARCHAEOLOGY AND ART HISTORY CLUJ-NAP OCA

CORIOLAN HORAIU OPREANU

With contributions of Szilrd Sndor Gl and Eszter Horvth

MEGA PUBLISHING HOUSE

Descrierea CIP a Bibliotecii Naionale a Romniei

The Authors, 2012

Editura Mega | www.edituramega.ro

IN MEMORY OF ION HORAIU CRIAN

Ion Horaiu Crian (left) and Florin Medele (right)

III.5.2.Weapons and weapon accessories.............................................................. 43

I NTR ODU C T ION

II.1. BURIAL CUSTOMS

II.2. ANALYSIS OF GRAVE-GOODS

HOREDT PROTASE 1972, 185186, Abb.7/1, Taf.45/4a-b.

WERNER 1959, 431.

TEMPELMANN-MCZYSKA 1985, 31, 97, Tab. 8.

III.1. THE STRUCTURE OF THE CEMETERY

III.2. THE POPULATION

See the contribution of Szilrd Sndor Gl in this volume (Appendix 1).

III.3. LATER INTERVENTIONS

Fig.1.Distribution map of the disturbed graves in the cemetery at Fntnele

GRNEWALD 1988, 34; ASPCK 2003, 244.

III.4. BURIAL CUSTOMS

Fig.2.Orientation of the graves in the cemetery at Fntnele

III.4.2. The graves

Fig.3.The depth of the graves in the cemetery at Fntnele

III.4.2.2. Interior structures

STANCIU IERCOAN 2003, 140141, 148149.

Fig.4.Distribution map of the animal bones in the cemetery at Fntnele

BRZU 2010, 37, Verbreitungskarte 20.

III.5. ANALYSIS OF GRAVE-GOODS

PSZTOR 2001, 138139; PSZTOR 2008, 315.

Fig.5.Distribution map of the buckles in the cemetery at Fntnele

Fig.6.Buckles discovered in the cemetery at Fntnele

KISS 1992, 53; KISS 1996, 203204.

E.g. Szreg-Tglagyr, grave 68: NAGY 2005b, Taf.59/8.

III.5.2. Weapons and weapon accessories

CSIKY 2007, 315, for their distribution: 319, 8.kp.

Fig.8.Weapons and weapon accessories discovered in the cemetery at Fntnele

KISS 1996, 236.

In grave 19 a pyramidal mount was discovered (Pl.15/19/3; Pl.36/8) which originally

Fig.10. Distribution map of the pyramidal strap-retainers in Transylvania

Fig.11.Distribution map of the knives in the cemetery at Fntnele

KOVCS 1913, 36.kp/2.

Fig.12.Knives discovered in the cemetery at Fntnele

CSEH 1990, 58, 21.lista, XXI. trkp.

See the contribution of Eszter Horvth in this volume (Appendix 2).

Fig.13.Position of the pottery inside the graves

BNA NAGY 2002, 93.

Fig. 14.Ceramic vessels discovered in the cemetery at Fntnele

GAIU 1999a, Pl.CIX/2, Pl.CX/6; GEPIZII 2011, 158159, nr. 200.

B. TTH 2006, 119.

VIDA 1999, 138143, Abb.58.

Fig.16.Discoveries from the 5th century in North-Eastern Transylvania

HARHOIU 1998, 151, 153.

Fig.17.Cemeteries belonging to the Band-Veremort group

HARHOIU 19992001, 148149; HARHOIU 2008, 192; HARHOIU 2010, 156158.

Gender and age

Grave 27 (Pl.18; Pl.44/23)

Grave 43 (Pl.25; Pl.46/3)