A Veszprém Megyei Múzeumok Közleményei 21. (Veszprém, 2000)

Perémi Ágota: A Lesencetomaj-Piroskereszt Keszthely-kultúrás temető fülbevalói

bronze basket earrings of gradually increasing size, split or dense style pins, chased bronze wire bracelets, and necklaces made from melon seed shaped beads. The aim of this study is to prove the above claims, by examining partly the basket earrings and partly those of other types, and also to contribute to the question of dating the basket earrings. Basket earrings The basket earrings have been classified by ornamentation, shape, size, material, and on the basis of other, datable finds in the grave, and the position occupied in the cemetery. On this basis, the small basket earrings have been divided into two large groups (groups I and II, figure 1, table 1). Apart from a few small variations, no significant differences in time period or position in society could be discerned between the two groups. In group III have been listed the basket earrings of smaller size, the broadening rings of which have been decorated with two or three pairs of grains (figure 2, table 1). This variant of the basket earrings may already have appeared in the time of the earrings assigned to groups I and II, but in contrast to these, this fashion, with small variations, may also be observed later. The other jewellery forming part of the costume followed the changes of fashion. On the basis of the above considerations, the larger sized basket earrings have been differentiated in three new groups (IV, figure 3, table 1; V, figure 4, table 1; VI, figure 5, table 1). Several graves belonging to all three groups may also be observed in the eastern section of the cemetery, but these are subsequent burials. The other jewellery from individual groups is typical of later costume. Further earring types In the course of the excavations, several types of earring were also found which are well known from Avar period cemeteries of similar age, and these have been satisfactorily dated. Using these, there is an opportunity to date individual cemetery sections, or more accurately, individual groups of basket earrings. Certain types of earring have as yet only been found in one of the divisions, whereas others have been found in more than one section of the cemetery (figure 6-11; table 2 and 3). They have been found principally in children's graves, but also to some extent in those of women and, more rarely, men. The other accessories found in women's and children's graves, apart from small variations, do not differ in essence from the other finds discovered in the graves containing the basket earrings. As a background to the wearing of various types of earrings, social rather than ethnic differences may be considered. The earring types listed above allow the eastern section of the cemetery to be dated to the years following the 670s, the middle Avar period, and the western section to the early 9

th century. Summary In the excavated section of the Lesencetomaj cemetery, in general, graves belonging to three periods may be found. According to present knowledge, the cemetery was opened on the eastern edge of the hill, approximately in the 670s, and it remained in use without any particular changes or breaks in the life of the community until at least the beginning of the 9

th century. 64