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 8 AND CORRIDOR - The Avar period (567/568-804 A.D.) (Éva Garam)

109. Bronze die from Erzsébetváros. First half of the 7th century 110. Bone needle-cases from Alattyán and Homokmégy. 7th-8th centuries were deposited in the grave together with his lance and arrowheads. His cloisonnéed iron belt mounts suggest that this particular craftsman was of Germanic stock. Burials of goldsmiths who specialised in fine gold, silver and bronze jewellery are also known. At Fonlak and at Adony, the goldsmiths' burials contained dies used for producing belt mounts (Fig. 109). The patterns on these dies were made up of motifs inspired by Byzantine, Germanic and eastern art. Goldsmiths used a wide range of decorative techniques: punching, pressing, repoussé, granulation, filigree, niello, silver, gem and glass inlay. Woodworking tools included various axes and drawing-knives. In addition to the timber framework for houses and their roofs, carpenters probably also made a variety of wooden furniture. Carpenters probably leamt the tricks of their trade from Byzantine craftsmen. Flax and hemp were beaten, spun, woven and then sewn into clothing. The only tangible remains of this craft are the loomweights found on settlements, as well as the spindle whorls, the iron needles and the bone needle-cases found in burials (Fig. 110). Woven garments were embellished with appliqué and embroidered patterns, used also for decorating leather and textile. The wealthy wore finely woven clothes adorned with sheet gold ornaments, which have preserved the textile patterns. Herdsmen were skilled leatherworkers, as testified by the iron awls and bone tools used for splitting leather. The Avars fixed different types of arrowheads to their arrows during hunting: these included pointed and flattened types, as well as multi-feathered pieces. Big game was hunted with blunted arrowheads in order to prevent damaging their valuable hides. Antler and other animal bones, as well as bird bones were carved into belt mounts, staff ends, quiver mounts, pommel and cantle ornaments, cheek-pieces, salt boxes and balm