Gepids

Aims and ObjectivesMacroscopic skeletal analysis and stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis were employed to examine the relationship between skeletal “stress” lesions and changes in the isotopic life history profiles of six nonadults from the Gepid population buried at the Archiud “Hânsuri” Cemetery (4th–7th centuries AD).Materials and MethodsThe Gepids were a migratory barbarian population in the Carpathian Mountain basin of Transylvania, Romania. Macroscopic skeletal analysis was conducted on 32 individuals, and of those, six nonadults were selected for stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis of incrementally sampled dentine.ResultsMacroscopic skeletal analyses revealed 47% of the analysed population displayed evidence of childhood stress. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ranges were −17.7‰ to −11.8‰ for δ13C and 9.4‰ to 15.1‰ for δ15N.DiscussionThe overall dietary profile indicates a mixed terrestrial diet (C3/C4) with increased consumption of C4 plants during adolesc...

This study presents the results of a classic physical anthropological and paleopathological study of the early medieval human bone material from the Himod-Káposztáskertek site. A smaller part of the graves can be dated to the ninth century but the majority of graves dates to the tenth-eleventh century. Since the possibility of population continuity was raised, the archaeological data related to the question were also reviewed (with special emphasis on the typology of a knife found in Grave 68), with the intent of seeing whether the anthropological data supported this hypothesis. Both samples represent only a small number of cases and the remains are poorly preserved. The ninth century series especially provided very little data, ultimately making comparison impossible. The remains of 25 individuals were found in the Carolingian cemetery section: childburials number 15, the juvenile age group is not represented by any skeletons, there are ten adult burials (4 males, 5 females, 1 of undeterminable sex). The skeletons from 87 individuals were excavated from the tenth-eleventh century section of the cemetery, of which 25 were children, 5 were juveniles, and 57 were adults (29 males, 28 females). For both men and women, people of tall stature form the majority; male skulls are characterized by large absolute dimensions, mainly a broad forehead and a broad face. Fractures, degenerative changes of the spine and extravertebral joints (especially the elbow joint) were common. Tuberculosis infection was suspected in the case of one individual. Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease with bilateral involvement and a rare developmental disorder, congenital scoliosis, occurred in the material as well.

This study presents the results of a classic physical anthropological and paleopathological study of the early medieval human bone material from the Himod-Káposztáskertek site. A smaller part of the graves can be dated to the ninth century but the majority of graves dates to the tenth-eleventh century. Since the possibility of population continuity was raised, the archaeological data related to the question were also reviewed (with special emphasis on the typology of a knife found in Grave 68), with the intent of seeing whether the anthropological data supported this hypothesis. Both samples represent only a small number of cases and the remains are poorly preserved. The ninth century series especially provided very little data, ultimately making comparison impossible. The remains of 25 individuals were found in the Carolingian cemetery section: childburials number 15, the juvenile age group is not represented by any skeletons, there are ten adult burials (4 males, 5 females, 1 of undeterminable sex). The skeletons from 87 individuals were excavated from the tenth-eleventh century section of the cemetery, of which 25 were children, 5 were juveniles, and 57 were adults (29 males, 28 females). For both men and women, people of tall stature form the majority; male skulls are characterized by large absolute dimensions, mainly a broad forehead and a broad face. Fractures, degenerative changes of the spine and extravertebral joints (especially the elbow joint) were common. Tuberculosis infection was suspected in the case of one individual. Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease with bilateral involvement and a rare developmental disorder, congenital scoliosis, occurred in the material as well.

In the spring 2011, civilian metal detectorists found 50 pieces of gilded silver mountings and jewellery on the freshly ploughed surface, in the perimeter of the township of Bugyi. After taking the finds into the museum, they urged and actively supported – both financially and administratively – starting the excavations the earliest possible. In the smaller area inspected after we had been notified, three graves were uncovered, all of them with remarkable finds. One of them held a surprise: a nobleman’s remains, his high rank signified by his uniquely designed military belt with gilded silver mountings, and the cover plate of his sabretache. The also one-of-a-kind, high-quality plate was ornamented with motifs characteristic of the Hungarian Conquest period. Unearthing it could shed light on the lesser-known significance of this region in that era.

Migration- and early medieval-period mask and face representations from the Carpathian Basin, discussed in this paper, are associated with contemporary beliefs, religion and rituals. In their appearance, they preserve ancient Germanic pagan traditions, which were transformed by Mediterranean (late Roman and early Byzantine) cultural influence. The symbols, chosen and created by communities living in the Carpathian Basin express the identity of their members and, at the same time, indicate intensive relations between ethnic groups and their elites in northern, western, east-central and southern Europe. Furthermore, the representations signify a transformation and expansion of meanings in the artistic expression of pagan Germanic beliefs, allowing for the representation of Christian content. The syncretic reinterpretation of the
meanings conveyed by mask and en-face representations in the Migration- and early medievalperiod “barbarian” world exemplifies the much-discussed cultural influence of the late antique Mediterranean on “non-Roman” contexts.
Vida Tivadar: From Mask to Face: Changing Meaning of an Image in the Early Medieval Carpathian Basin. Travaux et Mémoires 27. Collège de France – C N R S. Centre de Recherche d’Histoire et Civilisation de Byzance. Paris 2023, 85-104.

The centuriae from the praetentura sinistra of the fortress of legio V Macedonica from Potaissa (Turda, Cluj County) were excavated during 2012–2016 archaeological seasons. The stratigraphy of the Roman complex is affected by various late antique, medieval and modern destructions and interventions. In the following, archaeological material will be analysed from contexts dated to the Early Migration Period (5th–6th centuries) which overlap Barrack I. In addition to the rich archaeological material dated to the Roman period in the various sunken contexts reported (G1‑G6), as well as in the rubble level located on top of the collapsed tile roof of the Roman barracks, archaeological material dated to the Migration Period was also found. We publish here a Kreisaugen decorated bow fibula and 162 pottery fragments. The ceramic material is much diversified considering the production techniques and the vessel shapes. The majority of the pottery is made of fine clay, on the fast potter’s wheel, the second most popular production technique being the slow potter’s wheel, while pottery made by hand is present only at a negligible scale. The large variety of vessel shapes shows their intended function, and gives a glimpse into everyday life in this period. In conclusion, the 6th century AD dwelling structures and the common‑use pottery from the corresponding contexts and levels of habitation are added to the funerary finds and isolated artefacts discovered on the surface of the fortress to complete the habitation picture of the Migration Period.

La présence des Goths en Crimée au début du Moyen-Âge est actuellement attestée en archéologie par leur costume féminin, 1 connu d'après des découvertes funéraires. En effet, le habit féminin est un trait culturel très rigide dans les sociétés traditionnelles 'barbares' et sert de repère 'ethnographique', à l'exception, bien entendu, du costume 'princier' qui est plutôt un marqueur social. Dans les sociétés traditionnelles, il est très rare que les parures et les accessoires du costume féminin (à quelques exceptions près, comme par exemple les colliers de perles) deviennent un objet de commerce: ces costumes se déplacent d'habitude avec leurs porteuses. 2 On peut d'ailleurs remarquer que les costumes ruraux européens perdurent cette tradition, même au XIX e siècle. Ainsi, les découverts d'éléments du costume de tradition germanique orientale (fibules en tôle d'argent ou digitées et grandes plaques-boucles à décor zoomorphe) sont depuis longtemps identifiées en Crimée comme appartenant aux Goths. 3 Notre propos consiste ici à préciser les particularités de la civilisation matérielle de ces Goths selon les régions de la péninsule taurique. Les sites archéologiques contenant des objets de tradition germanique orientale sont attestés dans deux régions de Crimée: en Crimée orientale, sur le territoire de l'ancien royaume grec du Bosphore Cimmérien et dans la partie sud-ouest de la péninsule (Fig. 1B). Dans ces deux cas, la présence des Goths y est confirmée par des sources écrites.

La présence des Goths en Crimée au début du Moyen-Âge est actuellement attestée en archéologie par leur costume féminin, 1 connu d'après des découvertes funéraires. En effet, le habit féminin est un trait culturel très rigide dans les sociétés traditionnelles 'barbares' et sert de repère 'ethnographique', à l'exception, bien entendu, du costume 'princier' qui est plutôt un marqueur social. Dans les sociétés traditionnelles, il est très rare que les parures et les accessoires du costume féminin (à quelques exceptions près, comme par exemple les colliers de perles) deviennent un objet de commerce: ces costumes se déplacent d'habitude avec leurs porteuses. 2 On peut d'ailleurs remarquer que les costumes ruraux européens perdurent cette tradition, même au XIX e siècle. Ainsi, les découverts d'éléments du costume de tradition germanique orientale (fibules en tôle d'argent ou digitées et grandes plaques-boucles à décor zoomorphe) sont depuis longtemps identifiées en Crimée comme appartenant aux Goths. 3 Notre propos consiste ici à préciser les particularités de la civilisation matérielle de ces Goths selon les régions de la péninsule taurique. Les sites archéologiques contenant des objets de tradition germanique orientale sont attestés dans deux régions de Crimée: en Crimée orientale, sur le territoire de l'ancien royaume grec du Bosphore Cimmérien et dans la partie sud-ouest de la péninsule (Fig. 1B). Dans ces deux cas, la présence des Goths y est confirmée par des sources écrites.

FIRST CONTACTS OF THE DANUBIAN SLAVS
AND AVARS: THE EVIDENCES FROM THE BYZANTINE
WRITERS AND ARCHAEOLOGY
This article addresses the question of the archaeological sites relating to the Danube Slavs
(Sclavi), who first came into contact with the Avars in the sixth century. The isolated
groups of the people of the Prague culture penetrated into the area in between of the Danube
and the Adriatic, Pannonia to the south-west of Lake Balaton and the Eastern Alps
in particular, from the first third of the sixth century onwards. These settlements possess
some features similar to the Slavic sites of the Prague culture. No doubts, this area appeared
under the rule of the Avars when the Pannonian Lombards migrated to Italy in
568 AD and left their lands for the Avars. The cemetery of Regensburg-Grossprüfening
in Bavaria is of particular importance for the correct understanding of the situation
in the region under study. The site contained 22 Slavic cremation graves, where Merovingian
goods appeared. There were a few graves featuring prestigious artefacts. It has
been assumed that there was the resettlement of the Slavs, most likely being an elite
military grouping, ca 568 AD, under the pressure of the Avar expansion. If this interpretation
is correct, there was a departure of the elites of the Middle Danubian Slavs from
the Avar power zone. Perhaps it resulted in a change of the social structure of the Pannonian
Slavs, which explained their more dependent place in the Avar Khanate, in contrast to
those of the Lower Danubian and Balkan Slavs, who also found themselves in the sphere
of the Avar power.

During the Early Avar period, the Eastern-Transdanubian part of the Carpathian Basin was characterized by cultural heterogeneity. Beside the late antique and Germanic cultural elements the byzantine goods as well as the steppe traditions were included in the archaeological material of this period. The multicultural milieu completely disappeared by the beginning of the Late Avar Period that was defined by a much more standardized culture. In the light of the cultural changes, could we assume that the bearers of the antique and Germanic culture of the Early Avar period are the descendants of the former Romance and Lombard groups? If so, what happened to this populations during the Avar Period, how did they interact with the steppe-originated Avars? Was the Late Avar acculturation caused by new immigrants or is it solely a cultural integration? Based on the results of my dissertation, the continuity of the late antique and Germanic groups to the Early Avar period has been proved. The c...

Perhaps Chief Lehel was blowing his horn. What weapon fought alongside Árad throughout the conflict? Can these questions be answered without finding the graves of Árpád or his chiefs? If so, why do the sculptures of the "Hungarian Conquest" of Munkácsy or the collection of the millennial Árpád figures wear the costumes and accessories designed by artists? Is the embroidery on the horse of the Árpád helmet generally interesting in terms of the collective national memory that has developed over the years? But if this isn't important, why are archeologists researching the past? It's fascinating to learn about the debates surrounding authenticity and national memory that occurred during the 19th century. Péter Langó's exploration of the workshops of Mihály Munkácsy and György Zala sheds light on the complex dynamics between the state, artists, historians, archaeologists, and various audiences during this time. It's interesting to consider how different groups struggled with one another during the Millennium euphoria or the Hungarian Soviet Republic's dictatorship, which outlawed national symbolism.

In the article, we have a brief description of the Late Antique region of Carneola, which represented the eastern protection of Italy during Late Antiquity and the Migration period. The center of Carneola was probably a settlement of Carnium, which was important especially for the Goths and Lombards. One of the graves from the Kranj-Lajh cemetery is also presented with a more detailed analysis of one of the finds - a luxury belt buckle.

In the article, we have a brief description of the Late Antique region of Carneola, which represented the eastern protection of Italy during Late Antiquity and the Migration period. The center of Carneola was probably a settlement of Carnium, which was important especially for the Goths and Lombards. One of the graves from the Kranj-Lajh cemetery is also presented with a more detailed analysis of one of the finds - a luxury belt buckle.

After the strong focus on prehistoric populations, archaeogenetic studies are nowadays being carried out in increasing numbers on early Medieval communities (400–1000 AD). The engage¬ment of historiography–with its own methodologies for interpreting biological data–with these studies is generating a debate as to whether the methods of natural sciences are relevant to his¬torical and archaeological research or not, and whether biological data can help to provide re¬liable answers to major questions of human history. The paper addresses the general problems of cooperation between the natural sciences and the humanities, and social sciences. Above all, the paper draws attention to the ethical implications of archaeogenetic studies, the dangers of biological determinism, and the various attempts to define any ‘identity’ biologically. It outlines how aDNA data sheds light on kinship, biological traits, health, and predispositions can broaden archaeological and historical interpretation. It outlines the theses of some historians’ sceptical and critical discussion papers. It argues that genetics can only detect events, relationships and diseases that have left their mark on human DNA, and that historians, archaeologists and genet¬icists should be aware of the epistemological limitations of archaeogenetics. Archaeogenetics not only provides new biological data of a demonstrative nature but can also point to specific elements of large-scale historical constructs, shed light on specific new questions, and in some cases even answer historical questions that have not yet been settled. The historian’s task is to explore the impact of biological information on society, using new methodologies and in inte¬grative collaboration with geneticists, archaeologists, and anthropologists.

Kiss Attila 2014. november 30-án lett volna 75 éves. A 20. század azon magyar régész kutatói közé tartozott, akik egy-egy szűkebb időszak iránt tanúsított előszeretetük mellett is képesek voltak arra, hogy egyszerre több korszakban is otthonosan mozogjanak, sőt, maradandót alkossanak. Korai halála megakadályozta, hogy születésnapjáról a szakma „Festschrift” formájában emlékezzen meg: ha élne, Kiss Attila szakmai jelentősége, tevékenységének színvonala alapján mindenképpen nemzetközi szerzőgárdát összefogó, komoly tanulmánykötetre számíthatna. Jelen, rövid megemlékezés csak főhajtás egy olyan régész emléke előtt, aki az európai korai középkor kutatásban az egyik legtöbbet hivatkozott magyar kutató, illetve akinek munkái máig aktuálisak, régészeti elemzéseket tekintve sem elavultak.

In  our  study,  following  a  brief  history  of  Avar  research in the area, we take stock of the known early Avar sites in the vicinity of the town, from the discoveries of the late 19 th  century to preventive excavations of the first decades of the 21 st  century. Reports on the first finds were made by teachers at the Calvinist Secondary School in the annual Reports, and by Sámuel Szeremlei in his monograph on the town. Detailed and expert information on the archaeological collection of the Secondary School was provided by lecturers at the University of Szeged’s Institute of Archaeology.  Subsequently,  an  agreement  between the municipality and the Institute of Archaeology of the Franz Josef University of Szeged gave new impetus to archaeological research in the town. Lecturers at the Institute reported in the Institute’s Studies publication  on  the findings of excavations.  Significant change came only with the archaeological excavations made prior to major investment projects from the beginning of the 21 st  century until almost the present day.
Out  of  the  more  than  480  km 2  territory  of Hódmezővásárhely, in 1956 there was still only more or less information about 15 sites from the Avar period; this number increased to close to 70 burials in 19 sites by 1984. The register of sites and monuments published in 2002 but reflecting the situation in the first half of the 1990s contains entries on 20 sites in the territory of the town. In the 20 years since this register of sites from the Avar period was compiled there has been a veritable information explosion compared to the previous period: it is not the 6 new sites that are significant but the greatly increased number of excavated burials — close to 280 graves — thanks to  extensive  excavations  prior  to  major  investment projects.
This is not the place to undertake writing a history of the Avar period in the territory of the town: in view of the quantity and quality of the previously inconceivable number of Avar finds that have come into the museum’s collections, this requires a new type of division of tasks. The present article is intended as a contribution to a regional overview by taking stock of the currently known Avar period sites in the area and interpreting and evaluating them in the light of our present knowledge.