A Veszprém Megyei Múzeumok Közleményei 23. (Veszprém, 2004)

S. Perémi Ágota: Újabb avar kori leleteek Veszprém megyében I. Késő avar kori sírok Szentgál–Köveskál, Fűzfa utcában

MORE RECENT AVAR PERIOD FINDS IN VESZPRÉM COUNTY 1. LATE AVAR PERIOD GRAVES IN FŰZFA STREET, SZENTGÁL-KÖVESTELEK On the edge of the village of Szentgál, the section known as Kövestelek, previously in use as pasture, was divided up into plots at the beginning of the 90s. This area had already been partially built up, when during house construction in 1996, Avar period graves were discovered on the plot with topographical number 70/150. It was then brought to the attention of the museum, that on the other plots of the newlyformed street, burials had also come to the surface during construction work. The finds had not been reported. This site was previously unknown. Based on our data, we have only been able to determine that the graves from the cemetery, which may be dated to the late Avar period, are to be found along the whole length of Kövestelek (now Fűzfa) Street, on the plots situated on both sides. In the course of rescuing finds, in the already partially dug out house foundations, as well as smaller exploratory ditches on the south side of the house, 16 graves could be excavated, and in one grave pit (grave 2) two NW-SE, and in this same place two oppositely oriented skeletons came to light. Only the location of grave 3 could be noted, other graves could only be excavated partially because of the buildings. So there was no way for further research to be carried out, either within the plots, or under the roadway. Since then, the plots on both sides of the street have been built up, thus ruining a large section of the cemetery. With regard to burial customs, the Szentgál graves show a similar picture to those of cemeteries from other, late Avar period village communities of the same age. The orientation is generally NW-SE, the form of the grave pits is for the most part rectangular holes with rounded corners as seen from above, and with vertical walls. In the pits of graves 4, 5 and 11, the southern, or even both ends had sunk in, which is probably connected with coffin burials. With two exceptions, the skeletons were found in an extended posture, lying on their backs. From the burials excavated, traces of coffins were observed in 6 cases (graves 4,5,6,9,11 and 14). From these, it appears that box-shaped coffins made of boards carpentered together were probably used. Based on the position of the bones, the corpses 15 and 16 were buried wrapped in some sort of material. There were food offerings in eight of the graves: bones of cattle, pigs and poultry, as well as eggs. In the cases of the skeletons from graves 4, 14 and 5, in spite of being undisturbed, either the hand or the foot bones could not be found. This is explained by superstitious customs involving mutilation of the dead. In grave 2, the common graves of two married couples (?) were found, who died and were buried at the same time. Agreeing with Péter Tonika, it cannot be excluded that the double or multiple burials which proliferated to a significant extent in the late phase of the late Avar period cannot only be linked with sicknesses or epidemics, but also with the troubled, uncertain domestic political situation of the period, which led to the development of tensions within society. A consequence of this may have been an increase in the number of suicides, vendettas, etc. Perhaps the married couples laid to rest in Szentgál grave 2 died as a result of events similar to these. Based on analysis of the relatively sparse find materials (earrings, beads, armbands, and other costume articles (buckles, knives, rings), work implements), it has been determined that the graves of the Szentgál cemetery section we are familiar with at present may be dated to the late 8th, early 9th century. 85