Archaeologists have uncovered graves dating back to the Hungarian conquest in the Akasztó area of Bács-Kiskun County, southern Hungary, containing a silver sabretache plate, a gold ring with a glass stone, a horse tack decorated with gold-plated silver fittings, a saber, and silver bracelets; coins were also found among the items.
Gábor Wilhelm, head archaeologist at the Katona József Museum and professional leader of the excavation, said at a press conference on Monday that the graves from the Hungarian conquest period are considered an archaeological sensation. They were discovered by archaeologist assistants Zsolt Szabó and József Dömötör, volunteers in the community archaeology program of the Kecskemét Museum.
The hilt of a saber from graves dating back to the Hungarian conquest, excavated on the outskirts of Akasztó. Photo: MTI/Ujvári Sándor
He emphasized that
the condition and richness of the resting places of three distinguished men who died in the 920s and 930s, as well as the special objects found there, make the collection of finds extremely significant.
In the first grave, archaeologists found a particularly high-ranking warrior who died between the age of 17-18. Among the objects and tools buried with him, a silver sabretache plate, a symbol of elite status at that time, is considered a real rarity. As he said, only 29 such finds are known, which is why it is of outstanding importance for archaeology in Hungary and the Carpathian Basin. A total of four silver sabretache plates have been found in Bács-Kiskun County, most recently in Fülöpszállás in 1974.
Silver sabretache plate found in the first grave. Photo: MTI/Ujvári Sándor
As was typical for the burial of nobles, the head, legs, and skin of the man’s horse were placed next to him, while the rest of the animal was consumed during the funeral feast, he explained, adding that the deceased wore a blue glass-stone gold ring on his left hand, two gold rings in his braided hair, and decorative silver bracelets and anklets on his limbs. The horse tack decorated with gilded silver fittings is also considered remarkable.
The second grave contained the remains of an even younger warrior, aged 15-16, who was also a high-ranking soldier. The third grave contained a 30-35-year-old man, whose distinctive feature was a characteristic 10th-century saber, as well as richly decorated horse tack and a silver bracelet, he explained, adding that the men buried in the latter two graves were probably members of the first warrior’s escort or bodyguards.
A total of 81 Italian silver coins, 3 bows, about 30 arrowheads, and roughly 400 coins were found in the graves.
Ágnes Füredi, an archaeologist specializing in the Hungarian conquest period at the National Archaeological Institute of the Hungarian National Museum, pointed out that the Hungarian conquest period, the era preceding the founding of the state, was a remarkable period in Hungarian history.
The first grave was not looted or disturbed, making it one of the richest burials in the Tisza region. Certain silk, leather, and wooden elements in the grave were preserved in such excellent condition that researchers lifted them out in their original position, together with the soil.
Silver belt buckles from graves dating back to the Hungarian conquest, excavated on the outskirts of Akasztó. Photo: MTI/Ujvári Sándor
The archaeologist emphasized that the finds allow experts to examine not only the objects themselves, but also the clothing, thus placing the excavated finds in a historical context.
As he said,
the cause and circumstances of the men’s deaths are unknown, but various experiments have begun on their genetic material. Initial results show that there was some kind of family relationship between the deceased,
he said, adding that the second and third men were probably father and son.
The finds will be subjected to further examination by experts in order to establish the most accurate data possible, he emphasized.
Antal Suhajda, Mayor of Akasztó, said that Akasztó is an ancient settlement with a written history dating back nearly 800 years, adding that in 1278, King László IV of Hungary rested on their land with his army and issued a charter, which became the oldest written record of the settlement.
He said that
archaeologists have also known for some time that Akasztó has been continuously inhabited for roughly three thousand years.
The first trace of the settlement was a statue of the goddess Victoria, probably made in 92 AD, that was found in a Sarmatian hut. Traces of an Avar-era settlement were discovered in 1935, in the Döbrögec part of Akasztó, and in 2023, the remains of an Avar-era battle were also found.
Mayor Suhajda believes that the latest finds from the Hungarian conquest period provide further evidence that the settlement’s past goes back much further. “I am confident that the soil of Akasztó still hides many secrets, but even with the current finds, our settlement has already made its mark on Hungarian history,” he added.
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Via MTI, Featured image: MTI/Ujvári Sándor
The post Rare Artifacts Unearthed from the Hungarian Conquest Era appeared first on Hungary Today.
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