Janus Pannonius Múzeum Évkönyve 35 (1990) (Pécs, 1991)

Régészet - Pásztor Adrien: A nagyharsányi avarkori temető értékelése

88 PÁSZTOR ADRIEN A nagyharsányi lakosság letelepült életmódot folytatott. Erre utalnak a rituális céllal elhelyezett vassarlók. A közösség holta után is megbecsülte és gazdag sírmelléklettel látta el a falu ácsmesterét (59. sír) és családtagját (feleségét?) (60. sír). The burial place of Avar age at Nagyharsány was first used by settlers of the surroundings in the first half of the seventh century. After the typological and chronological examination of the relics found in a part of the burial place it can be said that burying was even going on here toward the end of the eighth (possibly in the first third of the ninth) century. As a result of the incomplete uncovering of the burial place the relics of the second/third thirds of the eighth century are not known. In spite of these deficiencies however, it is possible to draw conclusions regarding the way of life and habits of the inhabitants of the region of Nagyharsány of that age. i Burying was started in the northern-northeastern part of the excavations area: the relic ensembles that can be considered the oldest ones (the disc fibula ensemble of the stray find) came to light from here. Groups of new settlers of the last third of the seventh century continued burying in the same place (stray finds from graves NoNo 48, 62, 65 and 66), which was spreading to the south by that time A település a korszak kereskedelmi útvonalaitól nem eshetett távol. Erre utalnak a Bizánc vagy Morvaország felé mutató tárgyak, ékszerek, vagy a nagyszámú sírkerámia, amely egy közeli fazekasközpontot sejtet. (graves NoNo 33, 36, 37, 25, 86). From the beginning of the eighth century the dead were buried rather on the southern-south-eastern side. Thus, the graves of the early Avar age and those of the late Avar age are separated from one another territorially, as well. The graves located in the middle might have been plundered by the population of the late Avar age, as they became poorer and poorer. The inhabitants of the region of Nagyharsány led a settled way of life. The iron sickles placed in the graves with a ritual aim, are indicative of this. The community had honoured the village carpenter after his death as well; his grave along with that of a member of his family (spouse?) was provided with a rich grave-furniture (graves 59 and 60). The settlement might not have been far away from the trade-routes of the age. This is suggested by the things, jewels and the numerous grave pottery showing towards Byzantium or Moravia. The latter makes us guess the existence of a nearby potters' center. An evaluation to the burial place of Avar age at Nagyharsány, Hungary Adrien PÁSZTOR