Abstract

This article deals with excavations made in Fonyód between 1996–1998 and in 2001, where we located 10 and 11th century old cemeteries. The first excavation was centered by the sandpit near the 150 year-old press house. Due to nu-merous field works lasted for decades, a large group of burials were almost completely destroyed. We were able to determi-nate its age and characteristics from the skeleton remains and funeral offerings of one grave (S-terminalled lockrings). Dur-ing our other excavation made on a small dune at Sándor street 26, we found a similar cemetary from the 10–11th cen-tury with 54 graves and burial remains. Based on the pottery findings, it was in use by the Romans and later became the funeral site of the early inhabitants of Fonyód. The early Ar-padian cemetary was located on the west side of the mound. The graves were situated westward-eastward mostly without funeral offerings, but in nine cases we recovered notable fin-digs like bronze S-terminalled lockrings, shell necklaces and bronze rings on the annulary bones. We could not find any coffins or traces of bricks in the recovered area. There were many instances of skeleton remains of adolescent or small children beside the adult skeletons – mostly female – which indicate family burials. Furthermore, we recovered skeletons positioned with both arms across the waist. Towards the west, a five meter wide empty tract occured to us where a jar and two kinds of animal bones surfaced – one of a dog and the other possibly of a boar. Considering there were no other find-ings in that area, it might have been a significant place for burial customs or further ceremonial rituals.

Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call