INVESTIGATION OF THE ANCIENT HUNGARIAN HORSEMAN BURIAL GROUND IN STREDA NAD BODROGOM WITHIN THE YEARS 1926 AND 1937 (Vyskum staromadarskeho jazdeckeho pohrebiska v Strede nad Bodrogom v rokoch 1926 a 1937)

Content of finds that were rescued during the first phase of the investigation activities indicates that the total number of originally found graves was probably higher than the professional literature has assumed. Marking of the graves with burial mounds at the site in Streda nad Bodrogom represents an unusual and peculiar funeral rite. Some grave pits were cut straight into the bedrock. Common burying of the dead and the horse has been proved in all the four cases. In the past the graves have been devastated by grave thieves or by unprofessional interventions. Majority of the grave goods were discovered in secondary positions, skeletons of the deceased were scattered. In the grave inventory the mounts that decorated gorytos were discovered accompanied by a belt, horse harness belts and a pouch for fire lighting gear. Weapons from the grave were probably stolen by grave thieves, or they have not got into the museum collection. The material culture includes also artefacts that have their roots or close analogies in the wider east European area (human mask-shaped mounts, belt ornaments of the Cherdin type, leaf-shaped mounts with palmette decoration, pottery etc.). As of now some artefacts have no analogies in the wider middle- and east European context. The majority of silver personal ornaments was made in artisan workshops in the upper Tisa basin. At the clan burial site in Streda nad Bodrogom members of the first two generations of the ancient Magyars were buried during the first half of the 10th century.