OSTEOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF THE BLUDGEONS FROM SLOVAKIA (Osteologicka analyza bijakov zo Slovenska)

The study presents results of the osteological analysis of pear- and ball-shaped artefacts found in the riders' graves from the Period of the Avar Khaganate, interpreted by J. Zabojnik as bludgeons. The main aim of the authoress' investigation was to identify the raw material of the available finds from the territory of Slovakia. The bludgeons from cemeteries in Bratislava, part Devinska Nova Ves-Tehelna (grave 28), Kosice, part Sebastovce-Lapise (grave 94), Cataj-Zemanske Gejzove (grave 148 a 252) and Velky Meder-Vamostelek (grave 25) have been studied. A macroscopic examination of the raw material suggested that all five specimens were made of antler or antler/bone (specimen from Devinska Nova Ves). The preference of using antler for manufacturing the similar artefacts was documented in other archaeological sites of nomadic or semi-nomadic people from the early Middle Age, although other kinds of the raw material of animal origin (ivory, bone) were observed in here as well.