09RusovPHAntiq

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occupation of the Middle Danube region after this date.

Radiocarbon dates

Two burials were selected for radiocarbon dating; they belong, according to archaeological criteria, to the earliest (G026) and the latest (G122) phases of the cemetery respectively.The samples consisted of portions of compact bone from the middle of the right shaft of the femur. The dating was carried out by Beta Analytic Inc., University Branch, in Miami,Florida, (USA).

The sample from G026 gave a result of 145040 BP (conventional radiocarbon age 154040 BP, 13C/12C = - 19.4) (Beta-212571). The calibrated date range is 450-570 cal AD(1 standard deviation) and 420-620 cal AD (2 standard deviations).

The sample from G122 gave a result 145040 BP (conventional radiocarbon age 155040 BP, 13C/12C = - 18.9) (Beta-212572). The calibrated date range spans from 440 to560 cal AD (1 standard deviation) and from 420 to 610 cal AD (2 standard deviations).

The calibrated ranges of both 14C dates are in accordance with the archaeological, fifth-sixth century, dating of the site (Schmidtov et al. 2003; Schmidtov & Weberov 2004) anddo not exclude the possibility that the cemetery was used after AD 568.

Funerary rites

The graves, which were in rows, were found more densely distributed in the western part of the cemetery than in the eastern part (Figure 2). Of the 166 graves only 26 turned outnot to have been robbed. The dark brown matrix preserved in the majority of graves is thought to represent remains of protective wrappings or containers made of organic matter.The skeletons were originally oriented West-East (with head to the West) and lay extended and supine with arms along the body. Only grave G147, different from all other

inhumations, contained a body in a crouched position on its left side, with its head to the South-East. The depth and dimensions of the graves were variable. Except in one case,non-pottery grave goods were located in the area between the waist and the head, while ceramics were placed as a rule by the feet of the deceased.

Figure 1.The Lombard cemetery of Bratislava-Rusovce-Pieskov hon, located133.8m above sea level, during excavations in 2003. 163 Migration Period graves

were excavated.Click to enlarge.

strnka 2 z 7Antiquity Journal

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Apart from single inhumations, which prevailed, eight double graves were recorded, aswell as three graves with three individuals and a single burial with four individuals. It issuggested (see below) that these multiple burials are the result of grave robbing, or gravere-opening. Twelve graves were found empty and in one case a single tooth was

recovered. Besides humans, some graves contained dogs and horses, either in separategraves or in the graves of humans. The disturbed grave G47, lacking human remains,contained the skeletons of three dogs. However, it is not clear whether the burial wasrobbed, or whether there never was a human buried. Grave G122 with a male burial andfour dogs was exceptional (Figure 3). Grave G116 was the only burial of a male buriedtogether with a horse. Another six burials of horses were found in separate graves alwayslocated to the East of the nearest human burial. The burial of humans and animalstogether is interpreted as indicating the high social status of the deceased.

Grave G140 was completely robbed. It was extremely large (3.5 x 1.6m) and with corner

posts. It is considered a principal burial. Two other burials were associated with it: aflexed inhumation on its left side (G147 already mentioned above), perhaps a slave, anda horse burial (G146).

The graves were robbed either by digging shafts into them or more often by removing theentire grave fill. The evidence from displaced but articulated body parts (e.g. upper limbs)suggests that grave robbing took place not long after interment. It may be that a fewgraves were re-opened or looted at one time, as three skulls in grave G15 suggest.Interestingly, in most double graves one of the skeletons was left undisturbed, withoutany signs of secondary burial.

Figure 2.Plan of the Lombard cemetery of Bratislava-Rusovce-Pieskov hon drawnby Ing. Arch. Barbora Vorlkov. The deepest graves (up to 2.6m) were on theeastern edges, the shallowest (0.4-0.6m) on the western l imits. Red - scale in

metres; green - graves with dogs; blue - graves with horses.

Click to enlarge.



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Grave goods

Despite robbing, many burials contained numerous grave goods. Most frequent were jewels and objects of personal adornments, while pottery vessels, weapons and horse

Figure 3.The exceptional grave G122 with a robust adult male buried with fourdogs. Two dogs were found on a ledge near the northern edge of the grave, a third

along the left side of the skeleton, and the fourth on top of the trunk of the deceased.Click to enlarge.

Figure 4.A gilded silver sword suspension belt mount (56 x 22mm) from the high

ranking male grave G122.Click to enlarge.

Figure 5.Brooches (a-d); pendants (e, g, h) and necklace (f).

Click to enlarge.




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