Revista Analele Banatului S.N. Arheologie-Istorie

Călin Cosma

Cerceii în simbolistica socială și de gen în comunitățile avare din Transilvania secolelor VII-VIII / Social and Gender Symbolism of Earrings in the 7th–8th Century Avar Communities of Transylvania

1 Ianuarie 2022

Abstract

This article proposes an applied analysis of earrings from the perspective of social and gender symbolism in Avar communities from the territory of Transylvania - an original topic in Romanian historiography. The study focuses on the presence or the absence of earrings in Avar burial grounds and inhumation graves from the 7th–8th century Transylvania. Secondly, it examines the number of earrings per grave, the complexity of their craftsmanship, and the raw materials from which they were made - all of which are reflected in their appearance and value. Furthermore, the article highlights and analyses the association of various types of earrings in graves with other types of artefacts. The analysis of the archaeological data we conducted suggests that earrings can be interpreted not only as simple ornaments, jewellery, or clothing accessories, but also as indicators of the owner's social status. A basic analysis of the presence or the absence of this artefact in graves offers initial insights into social stratification, based on hypothesis formulated in the specialized literature concerning the relationship between this artefact and social symbolism. Also generally considered a gender marker, the analysis of earring deposits in Avar graves in Transylvania provides evidence of this practice not only in women’s graves, but also in those of civilian or warrior men. Finally, refining the statistical research based on other indicators - such as number, manufacturing technique/type, metal, and other grave goods - helps to outline a more complete picture of the social hierarchies within Avar communities in this region.