Dr. T. Tóth szerk.: Studia historico-anthropologica (Anthropologia Hungarica 19. Budapest, 1986)
ANTHROPOLOGIA HUNGARICA XIX. 1986 p. 23-49 Anthropological analysis of Avar- age series from the location Csepel — Szabadkikötő By M. FERENCZ (Received November 22, 1985) Abstract. The author examined the anthropological finds of 31 7th-8th century individuals which were collected in a rescue excavation carried out during the construction of the Free Port of Csepel. The averages of measurements .and indices are published as well as the range of variations and the dispersion. Anomalies, primary and secondary taxonomical analysis are also discussed and the similarity to other Avar-age series is studied by the author. In July 1938, when the Duty Free Port of Csepel was enlarged, human bones came to light in the earthworks. A rescue excavation was initiated by Lajos NAGY and it was carried cn by archeologist Tibor NAGY in 1939. He finished the work in 1940. Anthropological material was collected in a wanting and erratic manner. Chiefly skulls with some interesting features were collected, but hardly any postcranial material can be found in the series. In this study I analysed the anthropological material of Avar-age graves from the 7th-8th centuries. As far as bones are concerned the serial numbers of graves go up to 67 (with Arabic numerals), but only the remains of 31 individuals are preserved in the Anthropological Department of the Hungarian Natural History Museum. Information on the circumstances and methods of the rescue excavation is unfortunately very sketchy and incomplete to the point that it is impossible to determine the exact number of skeletons found in the given area. The grave numbers of archeological grave furniture correspond only partially with those of the anthropological findings. This is why I considered it more useful and unambiguous to pubVsh inventory numbers instead of grave numbers. Archeological analysis is carried out by Margit NAGY, archeologist of the Budapest Museum of History. APPLIED METHODS I established the age at the time of death on the basis of bone changes during life time. I applied the MARTIN & SALLER (1957) age-group system. Sexes were identified by the anatomical characteristics showing sexual dimorphism. The cranial measurements were taken by MARTIN'S method (1928). In the determination of facial flatness I have followed the method of DEBETS & TÓTH (in FARKAS 1972). I have determined the averages of individual dimensions and indices (M), the range of variations (V mm-V max ) and the dispersion (s). The measurements and indices were classified on the basis of DEBETS's categories (ALEXEYEV & DEBETS 1964). In the analysis of primary taxonomical characteristics I proceeded according to the works of DEBETS (ALEXEYEV & DEBETS 1964) and of TÓTH (19 58, 1962, 1967, 1968, 1969). I evaluated secondary characteristics according to LIPTÁK's (1954, 1965,
