- Munkácsy Mihály Múzeum,
5600 Békéscsaba, Széchenyi u. 9./
5601 Békéscsaba, Pf. 46
Norbert Kapcsos
Babes-Bolyai University, Archaeology, Graduate Student
- Babes-Bolyai University, Archaeology, Cultural Heritage, Graduate StudentUniversity of Debrecen, Doctoral School of History and Ethnography, Faculty Memberadd
- Sarmatians, Barbaricum, Limes Sarmatiae, Sarmatian pottery production, Istvánovits Eszter, Archaeology Of The Migration Period And The Early Middle Ages, and 21 moreRoman Brooches, Late Roman and early Byzantine fortifications, Ancient Metallurgy, Great Migration period, Late Antique Archaeology, Barbarians, Vandals, Barbarians and Romans in Late Antiquity and Early Middle Ages, Gepids, cultura Santana de Mures, Barbarians societies, Late Antiquity, Ethnogenesis, Funerary World, Goths, Vandals, Sueves, Alans, Barbarian societies, Dacians, Geoarchaeology, Archaeological GIS, Mobility (Archaeology), Dacian civilization, Przeworsk culture, Early Iron Age, Late Iron Age, Roman period, Late Antiquity, typology, chronology, distribution, function, fibulae, weapons, tools, harness, metal vessels, writing equipment, balances and weights, small finds, Eurasian Nomads, and Prestige goods economyedit
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The present study summarizes a chapter from my PhD dissertation regarding the possible chronology of the Lower Mureș Region from the Roman and Early Migrations periods. The analysis was necessary because of the lack of consistency in the... more
The present study summarizes a chapter from my PhD dissertation regarding the possible chronology of the Lower Mureș Region from the Roman and Early Migrations periods. The analysis was necessary because of the lack of consistency in the literature regarding the periodization of the before mentioned periods. From a methodological point of view I used an inductive approach, by analyzing the grave goods of the burials from the micro-region with seriation and correspondence analysis. As a result I have managed to distinguish six phases in the evolution of the archaeological material, from the turn between the 1st and the 2nd century and the middle or the second third of the 5th century, even though some critiques had to be formulated in relation to the suggested chronology.
Research Interests:
The present study summarizes a chapter from my PhD dissertation regarding the possible chronology of the Lower Mureș Region from the Roman and Early Migrations periods. The analysis was necessary because of the lack of consistency in the... more
The present study summarizes a chapter from my PhD dissertation regarding the possible chronology of the Lower Mureș Region from the Roman and Early Migrations periods. The analysis was necessary because of the lack of consistency in the literature regarding the periodization of the before mentioned periods. From a methodological point of view I used an inductive approach, by analyzing the grave goods of the burials from the micro-region with seriation and correspondence analysis. As a result I have managed to distinguish six phases in the evolution of the archaeological material, from the turn between the 1st and the 2nd century and the middle or the second third of the 5th century, even though some critiques had to be formulated in relation to the suggested chronology.
Research Interests:
Archaeological investigations at the archaeological site Conop-”Cotărci/Pătul” were carried out in 2018 summer, connected to the modernisation of the railway infrastructure between Curtici and Simeria. The archaeological features... more
Archaeological investigations at the archaeological site Conop-”Cotărci/Pătul” were carried out in 2018 summer, connected to the modernisation of the railway infrastructure between Curtici and Simeria. The archaeological features
unearthed at the site dated from the late Bronze Age, the late La Tène period, the beginning of the Hunnic period, and from the Middle Ages. The aim of the paper is to present the archaeological finds and features from the
Hunnic period (last third of the 4th–first third of the 5th century), and to examine the role of the site in the context of its
geographical position: it is in the contact zone between two neighbouring areas characterized by two distinct cultures,
the late Sarmatian Barbaricum and the so called ”post-Chernyakhov” territory.
The modest archaeological material comprises twelve features from the beginning of the Hunnic period, which
contained potsherds and a bronze brooch. The ceramic finds suggest that the vessels at the site were specific and characteristic from the technological and typological point of view. The share of the wheel-thrown fine ware within
the material shows similarities with that at the late Sarmatian sites in the Great Hungarian Plain, and it exceeds the
proportion of wheel-thrown fine ware at the Chernyakhovian and ”post-Chernyakhovian” sites in the Transylvanian
Basin. As far as the typological characteristics of the wheel-thrown fine ware are concerned, one can observe an amalgamation of shapes characteristic in the Sarmatian Barbaricum on the Great Hungarian Plain and those from
the Chernyakhovian territories in the Transylvanian Basin. For example, two types of bowls can be distinguished, with semispherical and biconical shapes. The fast wheel-thrown gritty ware is not a typical technological category
among the Sarmatian pottery in the lowland part of the Lower Maros Valley. In contrast, it appears in Conop, as well
as at the Chernyakhovian sites in the Transylvanian Basin. Wheel turned pots tempered with quartzite and crushed
pebble compose the most interesting group at the site from the technological point of view. The characteristic shape
and decoration suggests links to the late Sarmatian sites of the Great Hungarian Plain. Here, this technological type
of pottery appeared at the end of the 4th century without any precedent, while in the material of the Chernyakhovian
sites in the Transylvanian Basin it was a widely applied technology from the 4th century on. Quartzite for the wheel
turned pots – used for tempering the clay – was ”imported” from the territory of the Transylvanian Basin to the Great
Hungarian Plain, since, according to the geological structures of the Great Hungarian Plain, this component was not
available in the lowland area.
All necessary conditions were present at the Chernyakhovian sites in the Transylvanian Basin to produce this type
of pottery already from the 4th century: the technology of wheel turning, as well as certain shapes of pots, decorations,
and the primary commodity for tempering, quartzite. Consequently, one can presume that the appearence of the type
in the Great Hungarian Plain at the end of the 4th century might have been linked to a technological transfer from the
Transylvanian Basin. The proof of this hypothesis requires further research. Neverthless, one should take into account
that the above-mentioned territories were integrated into the structure of the Hun Empire from the end of the 4th
century, which might have facilitated the transfer of technologies and objects.
unearthed at the site dated from the late Bronze Age, the late La Tène period, the beginning of the Hunnic period, and from the Middle Ages. The aim of the paper is to present the archaeological finds and features from the
Hunnic period (last third of the 4th–first third of the 5th century), and to examine the role of the site in the context of its
geographical position: it is in the contact zone between two neighbouring areas characterized by two distinct cultures,
the late Sarmatian Barbaricum and the so called ”post-Chernyakhov” territory.
The modest archaeological material comprises twelve features from the beginning of the Hunnic period, which
contained potsherds and a bronze brooch. The ceramic finds suggest that the vessels at the site were specific and characteristic from the technological and typological point of view. The share of the wheel-thrown fine ware within
the material shows similarities with that at the late Sarmatian sites in the Great Hungarian Plain, and it exceeds the
proportion of wheel-thrown fine ware at the Chernyakhovian and ”post-Chernyakhovian” sites in the Transylvanian
Basin. As far as the typological characteristics of the wheel-thrown fine ware are concerned, one can observe an amalgamation of shapes characteristic in the Sarmatian Barbaricum on the Great Hungarian Plain and those from
the Chernyakhovian territories in the Transylvanian Basin. For example, two types of bowls can be distinguished, with semispherical and biconical shapes. The fast wheel-thrown gritty ware is not a typical technological category
among the Sarmatian pottery in the lowland part of the Lower Maros Valley. In contrast, it appears in Conop, as well
as at the Chernyakhovian sites in the Transylvanian Basin. Wheel turned pots tempered with quartzite and crushed
pebble compose the most interesting group at the site from the technological point of view. The characteristic shape
and decoration suggests links to the late Sarmatian sites of the Great Hungarian Plain. Here, this technological type
of pottery appeared at the end of the 4th century without any precedent, while in the material of the Chernyakhovian
sites in the Transylvanian Basin it was a widely applied technology from the 4th century on. Quartzite for the wheel
turned pots – used for tempering the clay – was ”imported” from the territory of the Transylvanian Basin to the Great
Hungarian Plain, since, according to the geological structures of the Great Hungarian Plain, this component was not
available in the lowland area.
All necessary conditions were present at the Chernyakhovian sites in the Transylvanian Basin to produce this type
of pottery already from the 4th century: the technology of wheel turning, as well as certain shapes of pots, decorations,
and the primary commodity for tempering, quartzite. Consequently, one can presume that the appearence of the type
in the Great Hungarian Plain at the end of the 4th century might have been linked to a technological transfer from the
Transylvanian Basin. The proof of this hypothesis requires further research. Neverthless, one should take into account
that the above-mentioned territories were integrated into the structure of the Hun Empire from the end of the 4th
century, which might have facilitated the transfer of technologies and objects.
Research Interests:
The study summarizes a chapter about the results – including preliminary ones – from my PhD dissertation, referring to the reinterpretation of the Late Roman period cremation burials from the Lower Mureș Valley. By analysing the... more
The study summarizes a chapter about the results – including preliminary ones – from my PhD
dissertation, referring to the reinterpretation of the Late Roman period cremation burials from the Lower Mureș Valley. By analysing the literature and the archaeological material, I’ve noticed some controversial information regardig these burials that couldn’t be ignored. Therefore, I intended to clarify the chronology of the burials and also their broader connections within the Carpathian Basin. It seems quite certain that the cremation burials can be dated between the second half of the 3rd century – end of 4th – beginning of the 5th centuries, and some of the urnes show connections with burial places from the Transylvanian Basin. Refering to their burial rite,it can’t be derived from Late La Téne burial customs from the Lower Mureș Valley as previously assumed, but they reflect several connections in the burial rite with the burial places from the Transylvanian Basin from the same period. The scarce data doesn’t permit to draw some definite conclusions, but it left room for some potential explanations on hypothetical levels, like a possible migration of several communities from the Transylvanian Basin to the Trans Tisa region along the Mureș valley – maybe in several waves – starting from the second half of the 3rd century.
dissertation, referring to the reinterpretation of the Late Roman period cremation burials from the Lower Mureș Valley. By analysing the literature and the archaeological material, I’ve noticed some controversial information regardig these burials that couldn’t be ignored. Therefore, I intended to clarify the chronology of the burials and also their broader connections within the Carpathian Basin. It seems quite certain that the cremation burials can be dated between the second half of the 3rd century – end of 4th – beginning of the 5th centuries, and some of the urnes show connections with burial places from the Transylvanian Basin. Refering to their burial rite,it can’t be derived from Late La Téne burial customs from the Lower Mureș Valley as previously assumed, but they reflect several connections in the burial rite with the burial places from the Transylvanian Basin from the same period. The scarce data doesn’t permit to draw some definite conclusions, but it left room for some potential explanations on hypothetical levels, like a possible migration of several communities from the Transylvanian Basin to the Trans Tisa region along the Mureș valley – maybe in several waves – starting from the second half of the 3rd century.
Research Interests:
Brooches from the Roman and Early Migration Period from the vicinity of Șimand New data for the repertory of brooches from the Roman and Early Migration Period in the Lower Mureș Valley (Summary) In 2014 several bronze brooches were... more
Brooches from the Roman and Early Migration Period
from the vicinity of Șimand
New data for the repertory of brooches from the Roman and
Early Migration Period in the Lower Mureș Valley
(Summary)
In 2014 several bronze brooches were discovered in the vicinity of Șimand (Hungarian: Simánd-
Vásárhelypuszta) and donated to the Museum of Arad. The set is composed of knee brooches,
brooches with returned foot made of a single (Almgren 158. and 166. types) and of two metal pieces,
respectively a Vyškov type brooch (Pl. 1; Pl. 2/1.). The diverse types of Roman age brooches fit in
nicely into the brooch repertory of the Mureș–Tisa–Criș region, reflecting an intensive connection
between the settlements of the area.
Based on the latest studies discussing the origins and dispersion of the Almgren 158. type
brooches in the Carpathian basin, some scholars recently have been connecting this phenomenon to
the migration wave of the Prezworsk culture towards south which took place after the Marcomannic
Wars. Accordingly, the appearance of this type in the Sarmatian Barbaricum is explained by the intense
commercial and cultural relations between the Przeworsk culture and the Sarmatians after the end
of the second century AD. Accepting this theory, due to the large distance from the source point, as
well as the presumed technological import after the acceptance of the style among the Sarmatians,
respectively the chronological discrepancy derived from the time passed between the production, the
use and the discard of the objects, the earliest possible dating of such artefact in the region discussed
can only be from the beginning of the 3rd century AD.
The latest analyses regarding the chronology and dispersion of the Almgren 166. type brooches
in the Carpathian basin have been conducted in parallel by M. Mączyńska and S. Cociş, but the results
of their research partly overlap on the topics of the brooches’ origin and appearance in the Great
Hungarian Plain. Projecting the several variants of the Almgren 166. type brooches found in the Great
Hungarian Plain on a dispersion map (Pl. 5.), it is visible that such brooches appear most frequently
in the northern part of the Great Hungarian Plain – a region cohabited by the communities of the
Przeworsk culture and the Sarmatians –, and they appear only in a few cases south or east of this area.
This may indicate the objects’ origin. Further analysis of the dispersion of the variants of this type of
brooches show the following:
– the majority of the variants with notched wire applique can be found on the northern edge of the
Great Hungarian Plain, with the exception of two pieces from Szentes-Kistőke and Szentes-Sárgapart;
– the variants with simple and notched wire applique appear exclusively in the Trans-Tisa Region;
– the Trans-Tisa Region is the sole area of appearance of the Almgren 166. type brooches with
double wire appliques, with one exception from Madaras-Halmok;
– the needle holder and case with tapped end is characteristic for the northern edge of the Great
Hungarian Plain;
– artefacts made of silver mainly appear on the northern part of the Great Hungarian Plain, with
the exception of two pieces, originating from the Banat and Apulum. From a morphological point of
view they are diverse, decorated with a simple or notched wire applique, or the combination of the two;
– only two pieces, found in Hortobágy-Poroshát, share such level of similarity that it can be
assumed that they were produced in the same workshop.
Due to the morphological variety of this type, with the exception of the cases listed above, the
dispersion of the variants seems to be accidental. It is hard to separate characteristic pieces for a
particular region or to detect workshop districts, mainly because of the relatively easy manufacturing
technique of the brooches. By analysing the accompanying finds of the few undisturbed archaeological
complexes, the Almgren 166. type brooches can be dated principally between the 3rd and the end of
the 4th century AD.
The classical variant of the Vyškov type brooch made of bronze seems to be a unique piece in
the Carpathian basin, as it combines the features of the Vyškov and Bratei type brooches (Plate 2.).
This type of brooch can be dated to the D2–D2/D3 period, and according to the dispersion map (Plate
4/2.), they concentrate mainly in the eastern part of the Carpathian basin, around the known powercentres
of the territory inhabited by the Gepids. However, due to the uniform character of the female
Germanic costume, it is not possible to clearly connect it ethnically to the Gepids. Still, the lack of such
brooches from the territory between the Tisa and Danube rivers, inhabited by the Sarmatians in the
discussed period, should be noted.
from the vicinity of Șimand
New data for the repertory of brooches from the Roman and
Early Migration Period in the Lower Mureș Valley
(Summary)
In 2014 several bronze brooches were discovered in the vicinity of Șimand (Hungarian: Simánd-
Vásárhelypuszta) and donated to the Museum of Arad. The set is composed of knee brooches,
brooches with returned foot made of a single (Almgren 158. and 166. types) and of two metal pieces,
respectively a Vyškov type brooch (Pl. 1; Pl. 2/1.). The diverse types of Roman age brooches fit in
nicely into the brooch repertory of the Mureș–Tisa–Criș region, reflecting an intensive connection
between the settlements of the area.
Based on the latest studies discussing the origins and dispersion of the Almgren 158. type
brooches in the Carpathian basin, some scholars recently have been connecting this phenomenon to
the migration wave of the Prezworsk culture towards south which took place after the Marcomannic
Wars. Accordingly, the appearance of this type in the Sarmatian Barbaricum is explained by the intense
commercial and cultural relations between the Przeworsk culture and the Sarmatians after the end
of the second century AD. Accepting this theory, due to the large distance from the source point, as
well as the presumed technological import after the acceptance of the style among the Sarmatians,
respectively the chronological discrepancy derived from the time passed between the production, the
use and the discard of the objects, the earliest possible dating of such artefact in the region discussed
can only be from the beginning of the 3rd century AD.
The latest analyses regarding the chronology and dispersion of the Almgren 166. type brooches
in the Carpathian basin have been conducted in parallel by M. Mączyńska and S. Cociş, but the results
of their research partly overlap on the topics of the brooches’ origin and appearance in the Great
Hungarian Plain. Projecting the several variants of the Almgren 166. type brooches found in the Great
Hungarian Plain on a dispersion map (Pl. 5.), it is visible that such brooches appear most frequently
in the northern part of the Great Hungarian Plain – a region cohabited by the communities of the
Przeworsk culture and the Sarmatians –, and they appear only in a few cases south or east of this area.
This may indicate the objects’ origin. Further analysis of the dispersion of the variants of this type of
brooches show the following:
– the majority of the variants with notched wire applique can be found on the northern edge of the
Great Hungarian Plain, with the exception of two pieces from Szentes-Kistőke and Szentes-Sárgapart;
– the variants with simple and notched wire applique appear exclusively in the Trans-Tisa Region;
– the Trans-Tisa Region is the sole area of appearance of the Almgren 166. type brooches with
double wire appliques, with one exception from Madaras-Halmok;
– the needle holder and case with tapped end is characteristic for the northern edge of the Great
Hungarian Plain;
– artefacts made of silver mainly appear on the northern part of the Great Hungarian Plain, with
the exception of two pieces, originating from the Banat and Apulum. From a morphological point of
view they are diverse, decorated with a simple or notched wire applique, or the combination of the two;
– only two pieces, found in Hortobágy-Poroshát, share such level of similarity that it can be
assumed that they were produced in the same workshop.
Due to the morphological variety of this type, with the exception of the cases listed above, the
dispersion of the variants seems to be accidental. It is hard to separate characteristic pieces for a
particular region or to detect workshop districts, mainly because of the relatively easy manufacturing
technique of the brooches. By analysing the accompanying finds of the few undisturbed archaeological
complexes, the Almgren 166. type brooches can be dated principally between the 3rd and the end of
the 4th century AD.
The classical variant of the Vyškov type brooch made of bronze seems to be a unique piece in
the Carpathian basin, as it combines the features of the Vyškov and Bratei type brooches (Plate 2.).
This type of brooch can be dated to the D2–D2/D3 period, and according to the dispersion map (Plate
4/2.), they concentrate mainly in the eastern part of the Carpathian basin, around the known powercentres
of the territory inhabited by the Gepids. However, due to the uniform character of the female
Germanic costume, it is not possible to clearly connect it ethnically to the Gepids. Still, the lack of such
brooches from the territory between the Tisa and Danube rivers, inhabited by the Sarmatians in the
discussed period, should be noted.
Research Interests:
The present article discusses the main issues concerning the necropolis from Șeitin–Imaș/Nimaș. According to the archaeological material, it belongs to a later period than the one defined by Egon Dörner and Mihai Blăjan, namely to the end... more
The present article discusses the main issues concerning the necropolis from Șeitin–Imaș/Nimaș. According to the archaeological material, it belongs to a later period than the one defined by Egon Dörner and Mihai Blăjan, namely to the end of the 4th – beginning of the 5th century. Another aim of the study is to clarify the problems related to the site and the connections of its material in the context of the Hun Period.
Research Interests:
In May 1939 one of the most important finds attributed to the Sântana de Mureș-Cerneahov culture was discovered in Valea-Strâmbă and since became a symbol for the last phase of the respective archaeological culture. The hoard is found on... more
In May 1939 one of the most important finds attributed to the Sântana de Mureș-Cerneahov culture was discovered in Valea-Strâmbă and since became a symbol for the last phase of the respective archaeological culture. The hoard is found on the western side of the ‘Kápolnaoldal’ hill at an inclination of 23 degrees, and an altitude of 857–875 m above sea level, therefore we consider that the place chosen for the hiding of the hoard does not indicate a location designated for human habitation,
but rather a different set of reasons. The preservation of the hoard is only partial, considering that its exact composition is unknown the chronological framework of the individual pieces should not be extrapolated to the hoard itself which is thus unfit to sustain any kind of historical argument and hypothesis. Furthermore, we observed that the most important hoards from the 4–5th centuries, also including
the treasure from Valea-Strâmbă, have a common feature. Taking into consideration the hoards with precise place of discovery it becomes evident that in virtually all cases the locations chosen for concealment are conspicuous from a topographic point of view, standing out of their environment. The seven cases mentioned in the article indicate that concerning the 4th and 5th century hoards we are not simply
dealing with a phenomenon of tezaurization, but a cultural manifestation of the late antique power elites spread throughout a considerable geographical area.
but rather a different set of reasons. The preservation of the hoard is only partial, considering that its exact composition is unknown the chronological framework of the individual pieces should not be extrapolated to the hoard itself which is thus unfit to sustain any kind of historical argument and hypothesis. Furthermore, we observed that the most important hoards from the 4–5th centuries, also including
the treasure from Valea-Strâmbă, have a common feature. Taking into consideration the hoards with precise place of discovery it becomes evident that in virtually all cases the locations chosen for concealment are conspicuous from a topographic point of view, standing out of their environment. The seven cases mentioned in the article indicate that concerning the 4th and 5th century hoards we are not simply
dealing with a phenomenon of tezaurization, but a cultural manifestation of the late antique power elites spread throughout a considerable geographical area.
Research Interests: Hoards and 5th Century AD
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The principal aim of the present study is the critical assessment and systematization of the archaeological sites and finds (settlements, cemeteries, hoards, and isolated finds) dated between the 3rd/4th and 12th/13th centuries AD in the... more
The principal aim of the present study is the critical assessment and systematization of the archaeological sites and finds (settlements, cemeteries, hoards, and isolated finds) dated between the 3rd/4th and 12th/13th centuries AD in the microregion of the Someșul Mic (Hu: Kis-Szamos) Basin. A further aim is the evaluation of the region’s archaeological characteristics and its transformations over the respective centuries. Due to the geographic and hydrographic features of the region, along with the Mureș Valley, it was the main contact region between the Transylvanian Basin and the Great Plain during the 1st millennium AD, both in cultural and economic terms.