Dr. T. Tóth szerk.: Studia historico-anthropologica (Anthropologia Hungarica 20. Budapest, 1988)

ANTHROPOLOGIA HUNGARICA XX. 1988 p. 31-53 The anthropological investigation of the Avar-age cemetery of Fészerlak By E. FÓTHI (Received November 27, 1987) Abstract: The author carried out anthropological research of 224 graves, the majority of which derives from the 8th century cemetery of Fészerlak. Themost. important anthropological measurements and those of averages are published along with the anatomic variations and anomalies. This series was compared to 22 other series from the Avar period by using PENROSE'S method. With 11 tables, 2 figures and 2 plates. INTRODUCTION In 19 69 some archeological and anthropological finds were discovered during agricultural work at Fészerlak-puszta (farmstead) located 6 km NW of Kaposvár. Excavations were carried out between 1970 and 1982 by Eugenia SZIMONOVA, staff-member of the Archeological Institute of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (SZIMONOVA 1978, 1980). 224 graves were exposed. The archeologist believes that it is only one-third part of the cemetery. The north part of the cemetery is completely excavated (SZIMONOVA 1982). These graves concerning their archeological finds date from the 8th century, some graves (29, 70, 103, 126, 140) date back to the early 9th century. Some earlier graves were dug up at the southern part of the cemetery. Sets of belt ornament were found in the graves 168 and 183, which date these graves from the end of the 7th century. Grave 128 dates from the end of the 7th century and the beginning of the 8th century. This grave is very important from archeological point of view because it has both strap-end with inlayed decoration and yellow pottery vessel. The non-excavated part of the cemetery is located to the south, therefore the early, probably 7th century population cannot be taken into consideration. On the other hand, the northern part of the cemetery is completely excavated hence this series may be considered as the Avar population having lived at Fészerlak in the 8th century (SZIMONOVA's pers. comm. ). SZIMONOVA believes that the archeological grave-wears refer to typical common people of the Avar age. WENGER (1975) has examined the anthropological finds brought to light in 1970 and 1971 (Graves 1-65). The author has taken over his published craniological measurements of the first 65 graves with the exception of MARTIN 51 and 52. We have remeasured them, remeasured the angles and the long bones, we determined again the morphological characteristics and anatomical variations, anomalies as well on the material of the first item. MATERIAL AND METHOD The skeletal remains of the 218 individuals from 224 graves were saved. The anthropological remains are deposited in the Anthropological Department of the Hungarian Natural History Museum. The state of preservation of the material is good. Skulls and skeletal bones