A nyíregyházi Jósa András Múzeum évkönyvei 54. (Nyíregyháza, 2012)
Régészet - Vörös István: A Mátraszőlős–királydombi kelta temető (1957–1958) archaeozoológiai vizsgálata
A Mátraszőlős—királydombi kelta temető (1957—1958) archaeozoológiai vizsgálata Archaeozoological examination of the Celtic cemetery from Mátraszőlős-Királydomb (1957-1958) In 1957 and 1958 Pál Patay (Hungarian National Museum) conducted a rescue excavation east of Mátraszőlős (Nógrád County), at the western side of the valley of river Zagyva, on the territory of a ballast-digging. In the course of the excavation 63 burials of a 3 r d-2 n d century Celtic cemetery were investigated. Animal bones were found in 56 graves (88.9%) of the cemetery. Remains of six species were unearthed: pig (Sus domesticus Erxl. 1777), domestic fowl ( Gallus domesticus L. 1758), sheep ( Ovis aries L. 1758), dog (Canis familiaris L. 1758), red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) and fish (Pisces sp.). Bones of pigs were absolutely dominant (60 individuals, 71.4 %). They are followed by fowls (21 individuals, 25.0 %), dogs ( 2 individuals), sheep (1 individual) and red deer (1 individual). The animal bone material of the cemetery is kept in the Archaeozoological Collection of the Hungarian National Museum under the inventory numbers 60.5.1 -448, 62.37.1 -2, 64.1.1 -15, 68.16.1-13. Pigs (see Table 5) were found in 54 graves, a total of 60 individuals. In 48 graves one pig was placed, in 6 graves: 2 individuals. In the burials half of the pig heads (skull - jaw) cut into two lengthwise, rarely the half of the cervical vertebra (vert, cervic. - atlas), complete sets of ribs consisting of changing number of ribs, sometimes pelvic bone, complete fore- and back-limbs of the same or opposite side, amputated at the wrist or ankle joints were placed. In Mátraszőlős the frequency of the pig parts is the following: 27 heads cut into two, 5 atlas bones cut into two (4 sin.-1 dext.), 29 series of ribs, 10 pelvic bones (3 sin.-7 dext.), 47 limbs (13 fore-, 24 back- and 10 fore- and back limbs). Among the cut feet parts, in 3 graves there were trotters (8,16, 53). In grave 39 together with the right side pelvic bone, the sacrum and the 1 s t coccygeal vertebra I also was found. Both wings of the sacrum were cut lengthwise. In the graves pig parts were found in 20 different kinds of combinations (Table 1). During burial ceremonies no complete pigs were put into the graves. Their heads, ribs, scapula and limb meat were placed into the burial in a regular way or „irregular" way (Table 5). In cremation graves sacrificial meat was put under and/or beside the vessels or farther from human ashes and vessels. Pig head was cut lengthwise, almost in a mid-sagittal plane in all cases. The os occipitalis was frequently cut together with the condyli. Head was cut together with the atlas (vert, cervicalis I.) more rarely. In Mátraszölős atlas cut into two with the remains of the condylus was found in 5 graves. In Celtic graves the pig head (skull and jaw) cut into two were placed in „anatomic order" very rarely. Usually the skull and the jaws were separated. Half skulls were placed onto their inner side. Usually mandible was put opposite of the skull. Lengthwise splitting of the pig skull could have been done with large „cutting" knives frequently found in the graves. Such knives are usually placed into burials with pig bones, in many cases beside the pig head or in the vicinity of the body and/or the scapula-limb, or above them. In Mátraszőlős knives were found in 20 burials (Table 5). The shape and size of the knives is varied. Cutting knives with straight or arched blade (Hiebmesser) are not typical butcher- or drawing knives. Their primary function was to slice boned meat and chitterlings. If „cutting knives" known from Celtic graves were used for cutting up pigs, they could be applied only in the case of porkets. Long „drawing knives" are missing from Celtic graves. 237
