A Debreceni Déri Múzeum Évkönyve 1960-1961 (Debrecen, 1962)

N. Ikvai: Ethnographical Data to the Iron Tools Found Near Debrecen

Nándor Ikvai Ethnographical Data to the Iron Tools Found Near Debrecen The paper presents late medieval iron implements (one reed mower, four harvesting sickles, two axes and two spears), drawing attention to the common tasks of ethnography and archaeology, as well as the shortcomings of the common work of these sciences in medieval research. The objects have come to light in the summer of 1960 in the municipal sand-pit, situated north-eastwards form the city; they were delivered by the guard of the sand-pit to the museum. The data and inventory number are to be found in note 5 of the paper. The uncovered reed-mower (PI. V) is known from archaeological material found in the surroundings of Kecskemét and Debrecen only. It is fastened to the handle by a tassel, usual with scythes. Grasping it with one hand only, the peasant slapped rather than cut with it, similarly to the scythe-bladed reed-mowers of our day. The harvesting sickles (PI. V) are also related to the archaeological specimens used by the Hungarians conquering the country and the ancient Bulgarians; similar types are occurring, however, in the recent material in the surroundings of Debrecen (e.g. Nyiradony, PL VI). Hungarian ethnographical literature has devoted ample space to this subject; it is summarized by Zsigmond Bátkay (Néprajzi Értesítő 1926) and Christo Vakarelski (Néprajzi Értesítő 1932) in their studies quoted in this paper. The sickles were adapted to the right hand, they were used specimens of the shafted and indented type. As they are similar to the recent specimens in form, they may have been used in the way familiar from the harvests done with sickles a few decades ago. The author regards the high stubble as a consequence of the technique of this work, stating that the crop designed for cutting might be grasped, avoiding a deep bend, on the upper third of the stem the most solidly. Thus it follows that the high stubble left on the field was not intended to serve the „dressing". Specimens similar to the axes of the find (PI. V) are still in use in the village here and then. These are implements of a primitive make, hammered from a bent steel plate, which has been tempered by the smith beforehand. Very little has been done by the ethnographical research in this respect. Every piece is much used. Similar archaelogical types are known from Transylvania only and in some of our museums a stray piece may come to light (see note 29). In connection with the investigation of the uncovered spears (PI. V) the author mentions another debt of Hungarian ethnographical research, ie. the lack of studies in this field. He quotes a paper on the city of Debrecen, calling the guards „lancers" (láncsás). This name allows an inference as regards the use of the unearthed weapons. The author does not regard the composition of the find (agricultural implements and weapons) as problematical, since such simple arms as spears could easily have been manufactured by the village smiths. So in the present instance we may be faced with a find containing the implements of peasants, hidden or left behind for unkown reasons between the 13th and 15th centuries. The paper concludes with the stament that ethnographical research, thanks to its investigations carried out in the last decades and at present, may illustrate mainly the way in which the implements were manufactured and used, helping thus archaeology in solving its problems and getting a more detailed picture of its subjects. Archaelogy, on the other hand, might offer metallographical investigations in order to produce reliable proofs, correct results, exact definitions of date and technique, not to mention its valuable assistance in defining and fixing the circumstances of the finds precisely. 150