Műtárgyvédelem, 2005 (Magyar Nemzeti Múzeum)
Összefoglalók
Katalin T. Bruder It was as the foundations were being laid for a new house that the grave was rediscovered of the head of the Maglód clan. As a result the following items were removed and passed to the Hungarian National Museum: a gold pendant drop earring, some gilded decorative fasteners for glass panels, a large strap end, some oval and crest shaped mounts, a gilded fastener with plaited ribbon decoration, a hanging mount, an iron fire-striking tool and knife, a grinding stone, some iron arrowheads, a narrow single-bladed iron sword, some silver scabbard mounts, some straps, and the end part of a hilt. On her examination of the Maglód artefacts Dr. Éva Garam observed that they were incomplete in several respects. The pair of the gold earring, at least ten different belt mounts, some flint, two small fasteners belonging to the straps of the scabbard, a strap end piece, the bone stiffening discs of a bow, and some silver clasps belonging to the sword sheath were all missing. Some fragments of bone and what was described as a black earthenware vessel are also known to have gone missing at the site of their excavation. Dr. Garam dated the find from the first half of the seventh century, and has now completed her detailed examination. When they first came to light the objects were generally rather corroded. The materials - particularly in the case of the thin, pressed mounts - had recrystallized and become brittle. When surface dirt was removed with a neutral cleaning agent and distilled water, the true colour of the materials became apparent. Material analysis of the belt mounts was carried out by the Geochemical Department of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA). X-ray diffraction (XRD) was analysed by Mária Tóth and ion radiation (EDAX scanning) by Géza Nagy. The results of their tests were as follows: the base material of the mounts contains silver and copper in approximately equal proportions, a mixture sometimes known as „bad silver.” The presence of mercury alongside the gold evidences fire-gilding. Since the very thin, pressed mounts would in any case have been prone to damage during their normal lifetime, they were usually strengthened by the use of a filling. This filling material was also examined, and was found to be composed of quartz (Si02) and either resin or wax. Ideally the solder material would also have been analysed but unfortunately it did not prove possible to extract a suitable sample. Initial examination of the mounts showed that were metalled with a variety of different coloured copper compounds. The gilding shone through this in a number of places. The base material of the pressed mounts was quite thin and had recrystallized. The lower parts of the decorative fasteners were very delicate and had been made with a thin casting. Having opted against radical chemical cleaning it was decided to treat each individual part mechanically, although on certain pieces sodium hexametaphos- phate was also painted on. For the cleaning a small amount of detergent was Restoration of finds from the Maglód Avar Grave 198
