Garam Éva szerk.: Between East and West - History of the peoples living in hungarian lands (Guide to the Archaeological Exhibition of the Hungarian National Museum; Budapest, 2005)

HALL 3-4 - The Bronze Age (2800-800 B.C.) (Ildikó Szathmári)

40. Bronze bucket decorated with bird motifs, bronze cauldrons and a bronze helmet from the hoard found at Hajdúböszörmény. 10th century B.C. 62 15. SACRIFICIAL AND VOTIVE HOARDS: SWORDS FOUND IN RIVERS Many of the swords dating from the 13th—12th centuries B.C. were recovered from various rivers. Most of the fifty-seven bronze swords known to date were found in the Danube, the rest were lifted from the Tisza, the Körös or the Szamos, or from Lake Balaton. Many studies have been devoted to the swords found in rivers, bogs and lakes and the possible reasons for their deposition in these unusual locations. One possible interpretation must by all means be considered as regards the Hungarian sword finds, even if most of these were found accidentally. It would appear that many of these swords came to light at major crossing-places and fords or near them, suggesting that in these cases, the swords had probably been cast into the water as a sacrifice in order to ensure a safe crossing. 16-22. METALWORKING CENTRES The eastern and western half of the Carpathian Basin was populated by communities with diverse cultural traditions, and differing economies and social systems during the last centuries of the 2nd millennium B.C. The largest territory, incorporating Transdanubia and the Danube-Tisza Interfluve, came under the control of a population (the Urnfield culture) arriving from the eastern areas of the