Archaeologists from the Szent István Király Museum have unearthed the grave of a high-ranking Avar warrior near the border between Aba and Székesfehérvár in Hungary. The burial dates from between CE 670 and 690, during the Middle Avar era, when the region was part of the Avar Khaganate—a powerful nomadic empire that dominated the Pannonian Basin and extensive regions of Central and Eastern Europe.
The Avars are best known for their conflicts with the Byzantine Empire between 568 and 626 and for their influence on Slavic migrations into Southeastern Europe. The new grave offers a rare glimpse into their material culture and burial traditions. Though there were signs that the tomb had been looted in antiquity, it still contained a rich collection of grave goods that testified to the warrior’s elite status.
Among the finds were a rare sabre with its blade and hilt intact. The excavation also unearthed a long knife, silver belt fittings, gilded braid rings, earrings with glass bead decorations, and arrowheads that were most likely stored in a quiver. Although the upper part of the skeleton—the head, chest, and abdominal area—had been disturbed centuries ago, the bones of the arm and lower body remained in their original anatomical position. Surprisingly, the ancient robbers did not seem to have been interested in the weapons and ornaments of the warrior and left them in the grave.
The sabre was particularly difficult to excavate since it was extremely brittle after having been in the ground for more than thirteen centuries. Volunteers from the Museum’s Community Archaeology Program designed a wooden cradle to lift the weapon and the surrounding block of soil safely. This careful technique enabled specialists to transport the sabre intact for micro-excavation and conservation in the lab.
The restoration, completed by conservator Petra Bódisné Szalontai, revealed the exquisite craftsmanship of the artifacts. The sabre’s elegant curve and traces of decoration make it one of the rarest examples of Avar weaponry ever found. The restored silver and gilded ornaments also demonstrate the technical skill and refined craftsmanship of Avar metalworkers, emphasizing the high status of the warrior who possessed them.
The discoveries offer valuable insights into the cultural and social life of the Avar Khaganate during the late 7th century. Although looted in ancient times, the remaining grave contents are a testament to the wealth, craftsmanship, and funerary rites of one of early medieval Europe’s most significant nomadic powers.
More information: Szent István Király Museum
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