Marisia - Maros Megyei Múzeum Évkönyve 34-35. (2014-2015)
Articles
130 Z. Győrfi 2. Bits This group of objects consists of one intact and two fragmentary pieces. The intact one is part of a simple category of ring snaffle bits (cat. 1). These are present in archaeological material with very slight formal changes all through the Middle Ages. Also, part of the category of snaffle bits is a preserved mouthpiece (cat. 2). A fragment of a cheek-piece is probably the relic of a more complex curb bit (cat. 3). 1. Snaffle bit, asymmetrical, with curb axis, the rings are of different dimensions; dimensions: mouthpieces: 9 and 9.5 cm long, diameter of the rings: 4.7 and 5 cm (Fig. 10/1) 2. Snaffle bits curb mouthpiece, dimensions: 8.5 X 1.9 (Fig. 10/2) 3. Cheek-piece, dimensions: 5.7 x 4.0 cm (Fig. 10/3) 3. Horseshoes The four preserved horseshoe parts belong to three different types. The first type is represented by two fragments, these are massive horseshoes with folded calkins adapted to more difficult soil conditions (cat. 1, 2). The second horseshoe’s calkin, also folded, is similar to the first one, only its turn-down heel is smaller and flatter. We shall finally highlight a piece that belongs to the category of horseshoes with plain edge (cat.4). The objects’ dating based on their formal characteristics is extremely difficult, quite impossible as it were. 1. Horseshoe. Tl: 12 cm, width at web 3.5, at heels 1.5 and 2 cm, calkin 1,5 cm high, distance between the branches at the ends 5.5 cm, the nail-slot is 0.5-0.7 cm Fig. 10. Horseshoes from Bistra Mure^ului (Drawn by M. Ferenczi) wide, two nail-holes of a 0.7 x 0.5 cm diameter have been preserved on both branches (Fig. 10/1) 2. Horseshoe. Tl: 11 cm, width at web 3.2 cm, at heels 0.7-1.0 cm, calkin 2 cm high, distance between the branches at the ends 6 cm, three nail-holes of a 0.8 x 0.5 cm diameter on the branch, distance between the nail-holes 1.8-2.3 cm (Fig. 10/2) 3. Horseshoe. Tl: 10.5 cm, width at web 2.7, at heels 1.8 cm, distance between the branches at the ends 5.5 cm, the nail-slot is 0.4-0.6 cm wide, three nail-holes of a 0.4 x 0.2 cm diameter have been preserved on both branches (Fig. 10/3) 4. Piece of branch from a corroded horseshoe, Tl: 13 cm, width at web 3.3 cm, at heels 1.2 cm, calkin 2 cm high, its only remaining nail-hole contains a very poorly preserved nail (Fig. 10/4) 4. Other horse equipment accessories A fragmentary piece of iron, with dentation on its edge can be defined as a curry comb (cat. 1). We have been able to identify three of the buckles used for assembling the harness and the strap, two of these (cat. 2, 3) were assuredly, the third one (cat. 4) very probably girth buckles. In the case of two other pieces it is difficult to determine whether they were part of everyday clothing, fighting outfit or horse equipment. A smaller, notched buckle (cat. 6) might also be part of the harness, but we cannot exclude the possibility of being used for joining armour elements. Similar piece were found at Cristuru Secuiesc (Székelykeresztúr)-Arany János street nr. 23-27.113 Without knowing more precisely its purpose, a bigger decorated buckle with ribbing on its curved side is also worth mentioning (cat. 7). Its close counterpart is known from Rapsóné fortress.114 1. Curry comb fragment, dimensions: 6.1 x 3.8 (Fig. 10/4) 2. D-shaped buckle with a large frame; its narrower bar holds in the middle a pin dissected by a circularly broadening plate, dimensions: 5.3 x 4.8. Buckle frame w: 1 cm, pin’s length: 4.6 cm (Fig. 10/5) 3. Rectangular girth buckle, its pin is missing, dimensions: 7.3 x 3.2 (Fig. 10/6) 4. Rectangular girth buckle, its pin is missing, dimensions: 6.5 x 2.6 (Fig. 10/7) 5. Oval buckle divided into two, with a central axis, its pin is missing, dimensions: 3.8 x 3.4 (Fig. 10/8) 6. Rectangular buckle divided by a narrow central axis into two, its curved, broad bars are decorated with simple and double grooves, dimensions: 3 x 2.8 cm, pin’s length 1.7 cm (Fig. 10/9) 7. D-shaped buckle, decorated on its sides and outside edges with wide grooves, dimensions: 3 x 2.8 cm, pin’s length: 1.7 cm (Fig. 10/10) 113 Benkő - Székely 2008,154. 46. kép 6,166. 114 Sófalvi 2011,245.
