'Festschrift' papers by Adrienn Blay
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Dissertationes Archaeologicae
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Antaeus 35-36, 2018
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of PhD thesis submitted in 2020 to the Archaeology Doctoral Programme, Doctoral School of History... more of PhD thesis submitted in 2020 to the Archaeology Doctoral Programme, Doctoral School of History, Eötvös Loránd University under the supervision of Tivadar Vida, Budapest and to the Institute of the Prehistory and Medieval Archaeology at the Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg (Breisgau) under the supervision of Sebastian Brather.
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Historical Studies on Central Europe
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Hatalmi központok az Avar Kaganátusban, 2019
In the first part of the study, we modelled the regional changes in the fashion of belt fittings ... more In the first part of the study, we modelled the regional changes in the fashion of belt fittings using spatial interpolation maps, which indicated diachronic changes in the regional frequencies of mount-ornamented belts. In the first third of the seventh century, these belts predominate in
the southern Carpathian Basin; a change can be noted from the century’s second third, involving a gradually northward shift and the appearance of belt fittings north of the former distribution territory and, eventually, a preponderance in the north in the century’s later half and its close.
We examined the possible reasons for this shift: the most likely explanation seems to be that the deceased were increasingly often interred with their ornate belt to signal their social status in the newly opened cemeteries. It must nevertheless be noted that – as shown by the keys to the maps – a larger cluster in the later seventh century does not indicate a similar concentration of belt fittings as during the preceding period.
By also looking at the diachronic changes in the distribution of plain, undecorated belt fittings – mounts and strap-ends – we could gain an overall picture of this distinctive artefact group. The first and perhaps most important result is that with the passing of time, certain gradual changes can be noted regarding the regional patterns of plain belt fittings. Three main, relatively distinct distributions can be outlined by the earlier and mid-seventh century: (a) a northern one along the Danube in a west to east direction and south of the Northern Mountain Range, roughly along the Csörsz Dyke, (b) a southern one along an imaginary arc from the Kölked-Szekszárd zone through the Kiskőros and Szentes areas to the Szeged area, and, unsurprisingly, (c) one in the Balaton region. In some cases, there is a “link” between the regions, for example north-eastwards of Lake Balaton towards the Tata area.
The three zones described in the above are made up of micro-regions which stand out also if we look at other artefact types (e.g. the Szeged–Szentes, the Kölked–Szekszárd, the Balaton and the Budapest region). Many of these were major hubs during the Roman period too, redestined
for this role owing to their geographic location. A major change can be noted from the later seventh century onward, when the earlier hubs in part disintegrate and in part undergo some transformation, and changes can be seen in the earlier distribution map: the mounts and strap-ends
have a much more dispersed distribution, with fewer concentrations in one or another area. We may say that the distribution area in part expanded inward (to the previously “empty” regions) and in part outward (to areas lying beyond the former distribution, to the Ipoly region, for example). These changes can be attributed to a society in flux, to changing demographic conditions and to the transformation of the economic system, in which the status of the individuals wearing
mount-decorated belts, including the plain belt sets, had also changed. However, the proper assessment of these changes calls for more detailed social archaeological studies.
Additional details can be added to the broad picture of the distribution of belt fittings and of plain, unornamented belt fittings if we look at certain jewellery types. Although there are fewer Byzantine-type articles with direct parallels during the middle third of the seventh century and
its later half, individual types appear in much higher numbers in the Carpathian Basin compared to the early Avar period. Among the earrings, the crescentic type with granulation along the lower arc and Jánoshida-type earrings can principally be associated with male burials and it has been suggested that these were endowed with greater prestige judging from the other grave goods. Concentrations in their distribution can be noted at Budakalász, Alattyán and Visznek
in the northern region, at Zamárdi in the Balaton region and in the Szeged area in the southern Hungarian Plain. This corresponds to the concentrations noted in the distribution of belt fittings.
These major economic and communication hubs played a prominent role in the Carpathian Basin during the Avar period and they were no doubt controlled by the period’s Avar elite in order to maintain its power. Distances and the accessibility of the central places were no doubt important considerations. One fruitful line of inquiry would be the analysis of these micro-regions – as possible power centres – in order to gain a better understanding of their organisation and
their economic foundation (settlement structures, etc.). The findings of settlement studies will no doubt provide a solid foundation for future studies in this field.
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the southern Carpathian Basin; a change can be noted from the century’s second third, involving a gradually northward shift and the appearance of belt fittings north of the former distribution territory and, eventually, a preponderance in the north in the century’s later half and its close.
We examined the possible reasons for this shift: the most likely explanation seems to be that the deceased were increasingly often interred with their ornate belt to signal their social status in the newly opened cemeteries. It must nevertheless be noted that – as shown by the keys to the maps – a larger cluster in the later seventh century does not indicate a similar concentration of belt fittings as during the preceding period.
By also looking at the diachronic changes in the distribution of plain, undecorated belt fittings – mounts and strap-ends – we could gain an overall picture of this distinctive artefact group. The first and perhaps most important result is that with the passing of time, certain gradual changes can be noted regarding the regional patterns of plain belt fittings. Three main, relatively distinct distributions can be outlined by the earlier and mid-seventh century: (a) a northern one along the Danube in a west to east direction and south of the Northern Mountain Range, roughly along the Csörsz Dyke, (b) a southern one along an imaginary arc from the Kölked-Szekszárd zone through the Kiskőros and Szentes areas to the Szeged area, and, unsurprisingly, (c) one in the Balaton region. In some cases, there is a “link” between the regions, for example north-eastwards of Lake Balaton towards the Tata area.
The three zones described in the above are made up of micro-regions which stand out also if we look at other artefact types (e.g. the Szeged–Szentes, the Kölked–Szekszárd, the Balaton and the Budapest region). Many of these were major hubs during the Roman period too, redestined
for this role owing to their geographic location. A major change can be noted from the later seventh century onward, when the earlier hubs in part disintegrate and in part undergo some transformation, and changes can be seen in the earlier distribution map: the mounts and strap-ends
have a much more dispersed distribution, with fewer concentrations in one or another area. We may say that the distribution area in part expanded inward (to the previously “empty” regions) and in part outward (to areas lying beyond the former distribution, to the Ipoly region, for example). These changes can be attributed to a society in flux, to changing demographic conditions and to the transformation of the economic system, in which the status of the individuals wearing
mount-decorated belts, including the plain belt sets, had also changed. However, the proper assessment of these changes calls for more detailed social archaeological studies.
Additional details can be added to the broad picture of the distribution of belt fittings and of plain, unornamented belt fittings if we look at certain jewellery types. Although there are fewer Byzantine-type articles with direct parallels during the middle third of the seventh century and
its later half, individual types appear in much higher numbers in the Carpathian Basin compared to the early Avar period. Among the earrings, the crescentic type with granulation along the lower arc and Jánoshida-type earrings can principally be associated with male burials and it has been suggested that these were endowed with greater prestige judging from the other grave goods. Concentrations in their distribution can be noted at Budakalász, Alattyán and Visznek
in the northern region, at Zamárdi in the Balaton region and in the Szeged area in the southern Hungarian Plain. This corresponds to the concentrations noted in the distribution of belt fittings.
These major economic and communication hubs played a prominent role in the Carpathian Basin during the Avar period and they were no doubt controlled by the period’s Avar elite in order to maintain its power. Distances and the accessibility of the central places were no doubt important considerations. One fruitful line of inquiry would be the analysis of these micro-regions – as possible power centres – in order to gain a better understanding of their organisation and
their economic foundation (settlement structures, etc.). The findings of settlement studies will no doubt provide a solid foundation for future studies in this field.
the southern Carpathian Basin; a change can be noted from the century’s second third, involving a gradually northward shift and the appearance of belt fittings north of the former distribution territory and, eventually, a preponderance in the north in the century’s later half and its close.
We examined the possible reasons for this shift: the most likely explanation seems to be that the deceased were increasingly often interred with their ornate belt to signal their social status in the newly opened cemeteries. It must nevertheless be noted that – as shown by the keys to the maps – a larger cluster in the later seventh century does not indicate a similar concentration of belt fittings as during the preceding period.
By also looking at the diachronic changes in the distribution of plain, undecorated belt fittings – mounts and strap-ends – we could gain an overall picture of this distinctive artefact group. The first and perhaps most important result is that with the passing of time, certain gradual changes can be noted regarding the regional patterns of plain belt fittings. Three main, relatively distinct distributions can be outlined by the earlier and mid-seventh century: (a) a northern one along the Danube in a west to east direction and south of the Northern Mountain Range, roughly along the Csörsz Dyke, (b) a southern one along an imaginary arc from the Kölked-Szekszárd zone through the Kiskőros and Szentes areas to the Szeged area, and, unsurprisingly, (c) one in the Balaton region. In some cases, there is a “link” between the regions, for example north-eastwards of Lake Balaton towards the Tata area.
The three zones described in the above are made up of micro-regions which stand out also if we look at other artefact types (e.g. the Szeged–Szentes, the Kölked–Szekszárd, the Balaton and the Budapest region). Many of these were major hubs during the Roman period too, redestined
for this role owing to their geographic location. A major change can be noted from the later seventh century onward, when the earlier hubs in part disintegrate and in part undergo some transformation, and changes can be seen in the earlier distribution map: the mounts and strap-ends
have a much more dispersed distribution, with fewer concentrations in one or another area. We may say that the distribution area in part expanded inward (to the previously “empty” regions) and in part outward (to areas lying beyond the former distribution, to the Ipoly region, for example). These changes can be attributed to a society in flux, to changing demographic conditions and to the transformation of the economic system, in which the status of the individuals wearing
mount-decorated belts, including the plain belt sets, had also changed. However, the proper assessment of these changes calls for more detailed social archaeological studies.
Additional details can be added to the broad picture of the distribution of belt fittings and of plain, unornamented belt fittings if we look at certain jewellery types. Although there are fewer Byzantine-type articles with direct parallels during the middle third of the seventh century and
its later half, individual types appear in much higher numbers in the Carpathian Basin compared to the early Avar period. Among the earrings, the crescentic type with granulation along the lower arc and Jánoshida-type earrings can principally be associated with male burials and it has been suggested that these were endowed with greater prestige judging from the other grave goods. Concentrations in their distribution can be noted at Budakalász, Alattyán and Visznek
in the northern region, at Zamárdi in the Balaton region and in the Szeged area in the southern Hungarian Plain. This corresponds to the concentrations noted in the distribution of belt fittings.
These major economic and communication hubs played a prominent role in the Carpathian Basin during the Avar period and they were no doubt controlled by the period’s Avar elite in order to maintain its power. Distances and the accessibility of the central places were no doubt important considerations. One fruitful line of inquiry would be the analysis of these micro-regions – as possible power centres – in order to gain a better understanding of their organisation and
their economic foundation (settlement structures, etc.). The findings of settlement studies will no doubt provide a solid foundation for future studies in this field.