Dr. T. Tóth szerk.: Studia historico-anthropologica (Anthropologia Hungarica 17. Budapest, 1981)

ANTHROPOLOGIA HUNGARICA XVII. 1980-1981 p. 23-64 Some data to the palaeoanthropology of the Avar Period's population in Hungary By M. FERENCZ (Received February 25, 1981) Abstract: The author examines the anthropological material of the 401 graves of the Avar period cemetery of Vác-Kavicsbánya. She gives a general characterization of males and females, and introduces the anatomical variations and abnormalities which occur in this material. She evaluates the primary and secondary taxonomical characteristics. At the end she makes a comparison from several viewpoints with other Avar period series of Hungary. A good many Avar period cemeteries came to light from the territory of our country. The archeological and anthropological treatment of them can serve the widening of our knowledge of Avar prehistory. The importance of these examinations is increased by the fact that the AvarB made up a considerable component of the Hungarians, the later inhabitants of the Carpathian-basin. We would like to supply some further data for the research of the Avar period'

s anthropological problems. THE EXCAVATION'S CIRCUMSTANCES The Vak Bottyán Museum of Vác carried out excavations on the territory of the Concrete Plant's gravel-pit from 1969 to 1976. The excavations were led by S. TETTAMANTI, archeológiát of the Ferenczy Museum of Szentendre. The works were begun in linkage with the earlier uncovered part of the cemetery. 82 late Avar period (8th-9th century) graves were found aB the results of A. KRALOVÁNSZKY'

s and GY. DEZSŐ* s excavations in 1958-59. The osteological material of these was written up by GY. GYENIS (1968). 20 male and 19 female skeletons were suitable for detailed examinations of the 70 rescued ones. The series is of Europid character. The 3 skeletons, rescued by Á. SÓS In 1952, probably also originated from this cemetery. Of these 2 skulls in a state of good preservation were described by LIPTÄK (1956). The detailed archeological elaboration of the graves dug up since 1969 is in process (TETTAMANTI). By preliminary information the cemetery can be ascribed to the 7th-8th centuries. The graves are mostly orientated to Northwest-Southeast and in some cases to West-East. The rate of disturbing was found to be almost 50 percent. The cemetery is very rich in grave goods. The excavations of this cemetery were finished in 1976. The overall number of uncovered graves is 575. A part of the cemetery is inaccessible BO an estimated group of about 100 graves cannot be brought to light. As a consequence of these we must be very cautious when evaluating the results of anthropological examination.