Marisia - Maros Megyei Múzeum Évkönyve 1. (2019)
Keve László, Zalán Győrfi: Medieval Small Finds int he Borders of Ideciu de Jos
82 К. László - Z. Győrfi THE FIND The small finds from the fortress’s territory can be divided into two groups. One is represented by different kinds of metal objects, the other by the counterfeit coins. Metal finds Most of the small finds coming from the fortress’s territory represent types that were in use for a longer period, their more precise dating is therefore out of our reach for want of further, methodical, archeologically appraisable research. Some of the finds may as well date from later than our epoch’s upper time limit, the late Middle Ages and might come from the early modern era. The find’s dating is helped most by the coins, by means of which we recommend in most cases the 14-15* century. Most of the small finds are related to arms and harnesses, but there are some household and agricultural items as well. There are also a few objects that are part of the fortress’s architecture. There are few Transylvanian parallels for the poorly kept, deformed tanged pyramid-shaped, long-edged narrow arrowhead. Its closest analogies come from the Codlea (Hu: Feketehalom) fortress21 and the Porumbenii Mari (Hu: Nagygalambfalva) fortification,22 both dated to the 13-14* century.23 The heavily corroded socketed object, constantly narrowing and ending in a pointed edge is more likely a puncheon than an arrowhead.24 The safely kept battle knife case stiffener is also part of the weapons’ group. Its closest parallel is known from Bistra Mure§ului (Hu: Dédabisztra) fortress,25 but similar pieces have turned up from other Transylvanian fortresses as well.26 Harnesses are represented by three fragments of snaffle bit, classifiable as simple, linkbelt, probably asymmetrical curbs. Their formal characteristics make it hard to date them, similar pieces have been found in different areas of Transylvania all along the Middle Ages.27 Similarly, without knowledge of their finding’s circumstances, the buckles are impossible not only to date but also to determine their accurate function. They can be traces of everyday clothing, but could also be part of harnesses or horse equipment.28 Objects of the fortress’s equipment are the keyhole protection disc coming from either the door or a cabinet, the spike fragment, as well as the crooked metal disc, used probably for hanging. Kitchenware are represented by two knives with arched back, their parallels of form are known from Cristur (Hu: Keresztúr) seat.29 A partially kept grass-hook may allude to works within the fortress or agricultural activity in its surroundings.30 Coins The monetary material belonging to one find consists of seven coins and plays a major role in dating the metal objects. The coins come exclusively from Sigismund of Luxembourg’s era and are counterfeit copies of his quartings from the 1430-1437 period. 21 Costea 1968, 81 (fig. 2/6). 22 Sófalvi 2017, 126 (53. kép 7), 411. 23 Although the crossbow arrowheads’ seize and weight is generally bigger and their most common type is the socketed one, it cannot be excluded solely by typology and weight criteria that similar items were used for crossbows as well. 24 A smaller, but formally similar item has been published by Elek Benkő from Cristuru Secuiesc: Benkő et al. 1997, 116,120 (35. kép 2). 25 Győrfi 2015, 128. 26 All these summed up: Rusu 2008, 88-95. 27 Their more reliably dated parallels from the Árpád-era are known from Szeklerland: Benkő 2016, 158,162. Later copies (usually from disturbed or difficultly datable contexts) have been published from several places, we shall only point out a few better dated copies: Ceche$ti (Benkő 1992, 59, 79. t. 8), Cristuru Secuiesc (Benkő-Székely 2008,154, 46. kép 9), Däbäca (Iambor 1984, 198, Pl. Ш/6). 28 Based on their seize we consider the latter option more likely. 29 Benkő-Székely 2008,152 (44. kép 2-3). 30 Closer parallels from Szeklerland dating from the Late Middle Ages have been published by: Benkő 1992,164-166 (79. t. 10-11), Benkő-Székely 2008, 152 (45. kép 5).
