Avars in Medieval Carpathian Basin and Grave Goods

Grave Goods of the Avars in Medieval Carpathian Basin

The objective of this study is to examine the burial styles and grave goods of the Avars. This includes such as buried livestock and artifacts. As well the variability in the relationship between different several sites from this similar time period, and some specific burial sites of interest will be examined as well as the various traditions relating to positioning of bodies and preparation of the dead along with any possible meanings. Examined as well will be construction of the tombs and any other grave goods of interest. From this data this study will attempt to determine the traditions, individual wealth and the position of that culture and to determine what the traditions were of this culture as well as how they developed and changed over time. The difference in tribes or clans and other influences from that time period will also be taken into account.

Introduction

Following the Roman Empire having fallen, the Carpathian Basin was under the rule of a barbaric society for a great length of time. During the Migration period which lasted until about 380-896 AD it is reported that Huns, Alans, Bulgarian Turks and Magyars as well as Avars arrived in this area. These peoples came from the East and all tempted to conquer the people settled in this area which included the "Romanized population, Samaritans, Germanic Tribes and Slavs." (Vida, Mersdorf, Schilling, and Klucsar, nd, p. 1) It is reported that during Post-Roman Europe that the Avarian state "organized along steppe-nomadic lines." (Vida, Mersdorf, Schilling, and Klucsar, nd, p. 1) Following the brief rule of the Huns it is reported that the Carpathian Basis witnessed the "formation of competing Germanic tribal kingdoms. On the territory of the province of Pannonia (western Hungary), the Germanic Ostrogoths and Suevi co-existed with the remainder of the Romanised population, the territory between the rivers Danube and Tisza (central Hungary) was inhabited by the Germanic Sciri, and east of the river Tisza (eastern Hungary, northwestern Romania), Germanic Gepidae lived together with the remaining Samaritan population. At the beginning of the 6th century, Germanic Langobardians (or Lombards), arriving from around the river Elbe, settled down in Pannonia, but after the appearance of the nomadic Avars in AD 568 they moved on to Italy." (Vida, Mersdorf, Schilling, and Klucsar, nd, p. 1) The Avars are reported to have been "a people of Inner- and Central-Asian origin, joined by East European nomads, settled down in the Carpathian Basin. The Avar Khaganate was the first entity to unite under one rule the different regions of the Carpathian Basin: Transdanubia (western Hungary), the Great Hungarian Plain (eastern Hungary) and Transylvania (western Romania). The Avars from the eastern steppes conquered the Germanic and Romanised population, and, in the course of campaigns against the Byzantine Empire, carried off to the Carpathian Basin a great number of prisoners of war from the Balkans. From that time on, immigration of Slavic groups is likely to have taken place. So far, about 60,000 graves of the Avar Age have been excavated in the Carpathian Basin, and about a third of these burials can be dated to the Early Avar Age." (Vida, Mersdorf, Schilling, and Klucsar, nd, p. 1)

I. Avar Burials

It is reported in the Early Avar Panninia there are four types of burial assemblages which can be determined based on cultural relations that they point to. (Curta and Kovalev, nd, p. 39) Balint (nd) reports that the archaeological legacy of the Avars is one of the most splendid in the early ages. While Geake (1995) states that the point toward Christianity by the Avars can be determined to be "roughly 600-850 AD." (p.1)

It is reported to be quite rare that when all the elements on one site can be traced to only one culture due to the various origins and cultures that lived in the same area and used the same cemeteries. It is reported that the spiritual culture of the Avars had the influences of the civilizations that surrounded them including Byzantium, Iran, and China. It is reported that in the Carpathian Basic the "colorful mosaic of ethnic and cultural traditions of foreign origin up until the late 6th and 7th century can be traced but acculturation and integration are reported to have occurred later on. The process of "unification" is such that is documented and demonstrated quite well by the "material heritage and burial rite of the late 7th century'. (Vida, Mersdorf, Schilling, and Klucsar, nd, p. 1) Inner Asian Avars are reported to have risen against their Turkish lords and to have moved west in search of refuge and a new place to reside. It is reported that during this journey to the west that they were joined by members of Central Asian and East European Steppe groups and that they were pointed toward the Carpathian Basin by the Emperor of Byzantine. Their envoys were reported to have been "wearing long braids and caftans. The Avars are reported to have agreed to battle for the Byzantine Empire against the barbarians in return for annual payments. The greatest battle waged by the Avars was against the Byzantine Empire and specifically an attack upon Constantinople in 626 although it was reported to be unsuccessful. Studies report that the Avars "had both light and heavy cavalry; their main weapons were the composite recurved bow, spear and straight sword. It was the Avars who introduced iron stirrups in Europe, which proved to be an important innovation in the formation of European cavalries.

II. Early Burials

The appearance of Avars in the Carpathian Basin is marked by shallow sacrificial pits, without human or animal remains but connected with the cult of the dead ('votive-deposit pits of Turkish type'), which contain spears, bridles and stirrups; and by the presence of eastern-type burials with a horse, horse harness, and hand-made vessels with four knobs on the rim. Burials in short tunnels extending from one end of the grave-pit, appearing in the Tisza valley (eastern Hungary), and burials of parts of horses and other animals show East European nomadic traditions." (Vida, Mersdorf, Schilling, and Klucsar, nd, p. 1) The center of the Avar's power is reported to have been "somewhere between the rivers Danube and Tisza, in central Hungary: this is the area where we find burials of the military groups and of an Avar chief (a khagan?) at Kunbabony. In keeping with their social status, graves of the warriors buried with their horse and weapons were given a central place in the cemeteries of the Great Hungarian Plain and Transdanubia…" (Vida, Mersdorf, Schilling, and Klucsar, nd, p. 1)

III. Leading Stratum Burials

It is reported that in the "…leading stratum of Avar society, the Mongoloid anthropological element prevails." (Vida, Mersdorf, Schilling, and Klucsar, nd, p. 1) Archaeological finds include Merovingian female and male costume, weapo9ns and tools, and amulets all reported to be reflective of the spiritual culture of the Avars. Quality goods are found reported to indicate "the existence of a noble stratum and independent Germanic leadership (in cemeteries at Kolked, Zamardi and Budakalasz)." (Vida, Mersdorf, Schilling, and Klucsar, nd, p. 1) It is reported that in the male graves are found "Avar weapons including bows, arrows and oriental swords alongside "Germanic weaponry (spatha (long sword), seax (short sword), pilum (javelin)), frequently in graves containing also horse burials." (Vida, Mersdorf, Schilling, and Klucsar, nd, p. 1)

IV. Female Graves

It is additionally reported "At the beginning, female attire featured belt decorations, pins and belt-terminals decorated with Germanic-type stamped ornament and with incised dentate ornament in Animal Style II. In the women's graves, growing Avar influence can be traced through the spread of Byzantine jewelry, and the appearance of metal decorations of Byzantine type, design and execution on clothing that displays elements of the Merovingian tradition (e.g. women's ornamental belt-pendants ('Ziergehange'), and shoe-strap fittings ('Wadenbindengarnituren'). In some cases, Germanic or Antique pagan amulets and Christian objects, appearing together, reflect the syncretic world of beliefs of the buried person (e.g. amulet capsules decorated with cross motifs)." (Vida, Mersdorf, Schilling, and Klucsar, nd, p. 1) Found as well are Christian motifs including earrings "with basket-shaped pendants, disc brooches…and dress-pins. The early Christian symbols include crosses, bird-shaped brooches and pins decorated with bird figures (one bird-shaped brooch bears an incised cross." (Vida, Mersdorf, Schilling, and Klucsar, nd, p. 1)

The work entitled "The Largest Cemetery from the Avar Period in the Carpathian Basin" reports the discovery of a conferment document which states "Reported in the finds are "folding iron stools with ancient gleam from the Migration Period which are unique pieces and the world." (Bardos, n.d., p. 2) Also reported is a shield of the country with the name of the Aristocracy of the Somogy County, 6 January 1498 BUDA and a veluum with painted shield and trace of hanging seal." (Bardos, n.d., p. 2) Also reported is a Gilded bronze belt mount with precious stone inlay, fashioned in the 2nd German animal style" and 'gold earnings from the 7th century" as well as "silver cross with embossed rim." (Bardos, n.d., p. 2)

Excavations also located iron furnaces but state that 100% of the excavated graves in the Avar cemetery had been robbed but that what was left "shows a miraculous richness and variability." (Bardos, nd, p. 2) It is reported that the "constitution and quality of the find material designate a community of high social level. The finds mirror the material culture of Europe in the 7th century. The rich Byzantine ornaments, the folding iron stools of Italy, western type belt mounts, glass wares, bronze dish and bronze jug, pieces of costume from the land of the Merovings." (Bardos, nd, p.3)

V. Preparation of the Dead By Avars

The early parts of the cemetery are reported to contain German type objects including Bone combs, German type clasps, inlaid iron belt mounts, sometimes forked fishing harpoons, shield knob and finally objects decorated with the Avarized variety of the 2nd German animal style." (Bardos, n.d., p. 3) In addition reported are a "… great variety of belt mounts with Byzantine ornamentation: belt mounts with dot and line or drop motives, depiction of a human face on the mounts, Byzantine type buckles and various Christian motives. It is a question if the variety of the find material reflects also an ethnic variety." (Bardos, nd, p. 3) It is reported that the Avars were great believers in "life after death. They prepared their dead to the long journey in an appropriate manner, that is according to the position, the rank they held in the community. They adorned the dead with a decorative belt and laid the weapons and tools beside the body. The decorative belt is a symbol of rank among the equestrian people of the steppes. Several belt types were used in the early Avar period. In the graves of the Avar cemetery at Zamardi, we could find Byzantine type belts, those with Merovingian construction and the griffon and tendril belts of the Late Avar period. Besides, there are representatives of the silver inlaid iron belt sets used in West Europe, the Italo-Langobard bronze belt mounts with large spheres and belt decorations with analogues also in Italy." (Bardos, nd, p. 4) The dead were often supplied by the Avars with drink and food for their journey to the other world and clay vessels are reported to have been placed at the head and feet of the dead. However, it is reported that about only one in 10 graves contained vessels and that this is probably due to the spreading of Christianity which affected this custom which was pagan in nature. The wooden bucket was used during this period and some of them were decorated with bronze bands that were "embossed rim or bronze sheets decorated with griffon and tendril figures." (Bardos, nd, p. 5)

VI. Burial of Warriors with Their Horses

It is very interesting that approximately 100 warriors were buried with their horses and this is held to be a testimony to the community wealth at Zamardi. It is explained that the warrior "was lain in a W-E directed pit. His harnessed horse was placed to the feet of the dead in the same direction but into another pit. The skeleton of the horse is found as it fell, with the harness in its place. We can often find the bit in its mouth, the decoration of the bridle and the breaching over the skeleton and the spear, which caused its death, beside the skull. The important equipments of the Avar attack, the stirrups are found on the two sides of the skeleton. The saddle was also put into the grave but we can only find it if it was covered with bone or metal plaiting. The early harness decoration was made of thin silver sheet filled with lead in the inside." (Bardos, nd, p. 4) It is reported that found in the graves with horse burial from the 7th century were "richly gilded bronze harness decoration." (Bardos, nd, p. 4) The stirrups are reported to have had "a vaulted footing with pulled up long or looped ears. In the 8th century, the stirrups with straight footing become accepted together with cast bronze, often gilded bridle rose and the caparison that decorated the head of the horse." (Bardos, nd, p. 4)

VII. Primary Important Weapon

Reported as the primary weapon of importance was the bow and it is stated that in the graves found was "its bone plating. The iron arrowheads were kept in a quiver which was often decorated with carved bone plates. The quiver belt was decorated with silver-sheet rosette shaped mounts with cast lead in them. Their equipment also contained the bone disentagler which was used to bend the bow. Beside the bow they also used spears and swords." (, p. 5) The report states that according to contemporary sources "the equipment and war tactic of the Avar warriors also served as an example for the Byzantine Empire: "...their equestrian spear should be furnished with a leather strap in its middle and with a flag similarly to that of the Avars; they should have swords and their neck protector will be worn outside similarly to the Avars and with series of wool bands in the inside... It is necessary that the horses, first of all the horses of the leaders and the elite warriors... should be furnished with breast shields made of iron or felt or their breasts and necks should be covered similarly to the Avars' especially of those who stand in the fighting line of the battle field... Two iron stirrups must be attached to the saddle..." (Mauricius, cited in: Bardos, nd, p. 5)

VIII. Gold Derived from Byzantine Empire

It is reported that annual tax was paid to the Avars by the Byzantine Empire "which by time mounted to 100,000 gold coins, for keeping the peace." (Bardos, nd, p. 6) The Avar Empire melted these gold coins and this is evident in the graves of the Avars which are reported to have been "relished in pomp and splendor" by the Avars. It is specifically reported that some of the gold jewels of the Avars were "Byzantine make. Several graves contained Byzantine gold coins placed into the grave as dead obulus but since grave robbers did a good job, only one grave held a gold solidus and another one could be located (we could observe the negative print of the coin in the corrosion of the ironing of the coffin). Grave 1392. contained the gold coin of 20 siliquis of Heraclius and Heraclius Constantinus (minted between 620 and 625)." (Bardos, nd, p. 6) In addition the splendor of the Avars is shown in the women's costume in that the gold jewels of the women "mirror the fashion of the period -- gold earrings with big spheres and uplifted sphere pendant with granulated decoration are frequent in the female graves from the 7th century.

IX. Male Burials

Gold jewels can also be found in male burials as some segment shaped gold lockring and small gold rings decorated with granulation." (Bardos, nd, p. 7) The strings of colored beads were important elements of the female costume. The variegated strings of beads testify a highly developed aesthetic taste. The bulbous, eyed beads of the early period are masterpieces of applied art. Later, the strings of beads change in shape, in colors, and also in raw material. Following the biconical beads of the 7th century, the sliced paste beads, the melon seed shaped paste beads and those with flowing decoration become dominant. A frequently occurring element of costume is the torques made of bronze wire, often with a small cylindrical holder on it, the so-called 'bulla'. Various objects were often worn round the neck as amulets e.g. A pierced Roman coin hanging from a necklace or a brass dolphin attached to a leather strip or a Roman bronze fibula worn on the left side hanging from a leather strap.

X. Armrings: Early and Later Periods

Armrings are not as frequent in the Early Avar graves but become more frequent later in the Avar period. Closed sheet armrings with articulated structure are reported to be found and the finest of the armrings to be found in graves 517-518 and those are reported to be decorated "with the 2nd German serrated animal style. The same shape is later decorated with pounced ornament. With the population of griffon and tendril ornament the cast bronze armrings with pounced decoration and open terminals were mass products. The characteristic requisites of the female burials were the iron keys, the bone needle-cases (sometimes also made of iron or bronze), spindle whorls and two-handled iron cutting instruments." (Bardos, nd, p. 7) In addition it is reported that in the graves of women and girls that there are cast bronze rattlers reported as "often displaying the depiction of a human face. The earrings in female burials became larger and larger, the gold is substituted by silver and later bronze, still imitating the shapes of the early pieces. The two earrings are sometimes connected with a small bronze chain. Uplifted dodecahedral bronze earrings with pendants are frequently met in the cemetery at Zamardi. They are carefully made goldsmith works of Byzantine character, decorated with segments and granulation." (Bardos, nd, p. 7)

XI. Animal Ornamentation Derived from 2nd Germans

Reported as the most important and most beautiful of all finds in the cemetery is those with are the 2nd German serrated animal style as it is stated that the Avars "borrowed this ornament from a style favored by the Germans and decorate d with the depictions with so called 'serration' which made them Avar." (Bardos, nd, p. 8) Reported as the classic and up to now best products of the Avar animal ornamentation are the "Jankovich golds. The objects in the Zamardi cemetery made in the same style are close in the quality to the standard of these goldsmith's products made of pure gold. Up to now, about 100 graves contained finds decorated with the 2nd German serrated animal style. The decoration of German origin can be found on belt sets, horse harness decorations and female jewels as arm-rings, finger-rings, also on shoe strap terminals and the leather strip mounts of caskets…" (Bardos, nd, p. 8) Also found in the Avar cemetery of Zamardi without serration is the German animal style. These are reported to be products of German craftsmen and believed to have served as "prototypes for the Avar craftsmen or goldsmiths who worked for the Avars." (Bardos, nd, p. 8) Simultaneously it is reported that the prototypes of servatrion are also observed on Byzantine type belt mounts and belt mount that have geometric plaited ornaments in the earlier graves. (Bardos, nd, paraphrased)

XII. Serration Important to the Avars

It is clear that Serration was of importance to the Avars as it is "demonstrated by the large strap terminal in grave No. 1280. with precious stone inlay and niello ornamentation made of gilded silver. The lower part of the belt mount is decorated with the classical 2nd style which was not made by an Avar craftsman. The upper articulated mount must have been injured and the substitution was already made in Avar style with serration (the closest analogue of the original belt mount is the finds of the Arnegiindis grave in St. Denis)." (Bardos, nd, p. 10) As well there are finds with the 2nd style that are able to be divided into the belonging of the Avar and the other which are not Avar costume stated to mean more than "simple ornamentation" with the Animal ornamentation which is Avar constructed on the "Mediterranean plait decoration which became incorporated into the Avar and the Langobard art." (Bardos, nd, p. 10)

XII. Historical Accounts

It is reported that the "The contemporary sources tell us about contacts between Italy and the Avar Empire. The Avars and the Langobards together defeated the Gepids in 567. The Langobards left Pannonia for Italy with the promise of eternal peace. According to the documents, varied political and economic contact existed from the beginning between the two powers. Beside the economic contact, the Avar-Langobard relations were multidimensional. We know that shipwrights arrived to the Avar kagan from Italy. The 2nd serrated German animal style indicates a deeper contact, a longer residence: Langobard goldsmiths worked for Avar customers. We should also count with Germans who fled to the Avars and lived with them. The contemporary sources mention thousands of captives carried off after sieges and wars and settled by the victorious kagan within his Empire. The place where they were settled was always in Panonia that is, west of the Danube." (Bardos, nd, p. 10)

XVI. Early Avars Influenced by Christian Teachings

It is reported that the early Avars had been introduced to Christian teachings of different variations prior to their arrival in the Carpathian Basin and may have been influenced by Arianism after they settled in the basin however the Avars are reported to have been "fundamentally pagans and they remained so" reported to be testified to by the "unearthed cemeteries and the documents of the Antiquity about the Avars. The contemporary sources characterize them as nomadic, barbarian, pagan, godless. Very little is known about the religious life of the early Avars of the Bajan period." (Bardos, nd, p. 10) It is reported that important elements of the pagan oath are those of "Tire, water and sword" and it is stated that "Bajan's oath of Avar customs cites an ancient tradition, the cult of the sword. Before the siege of Sirmium, Bajan "...immediately drew his sword and swore according to the Avar cuss: he put a curse on himself and the whole of Avar people if he planned to build the bridge through the Sava from manipulation against the Romans. He should die of sword together with the whole of the Avar people, the heaven and god who resides in the heaven should send fire on them..." (Bardos, nd, p. 10) The Avars are described by the Miracula Sancti Demetrii in the tale about the siege of Thessalonike which provides a description of the Avars as being "wild and bloodthirsty people, who do not know the only true god." (Bardos, nd, p. 10)

XV. A Mixture of Pagan and Christian Artifacts in Avar Graves

A war was started by the Charles the Great against the Avars in 791 reported to have been "under the sign of the cross" and it is stated that the finds of the burials at the end of the 7th and 8th centuries are the "cast bronze filigreed decorative disks…usually found in female burials, sometime with men too, as strap dividers. The female dressing can be characterized with unmounted belts held together with iron or bronze buckles. The large strap terminal made of sheet is found nearly between the two ankles. The disks hanged from leather suspended from the belt. They were worn on the left side, sometimes 2, 3 or 4 of them." (Bardos, nd, p. 11) Often found is an iron key, an iron knife, a spindle whorl or a needle case beside them." (Bardos, nd, p. 11) Their jewels contained "large sized, uplifted spheroid and dodecahedral silver and bronze earrings with pendants which are carefully executed Byzantine type works. Their execution is very similar to the basket-shaped earrings of the Keszthely culture. The two handled iron cutting tool is also frequently met in graves, it must have served some land of kitchen purpose." (Bardos, nd, p. 11)