1,100-year-old burials of elite warriors and their weapons found in Hungary — and all 3 men are related, DNA reveals
Hungarian archaeologists have discovered the 1,100-year-old burials of three elite warriors, and DNA analysis has revealed the men are related.
The warriors’ graves contain weapons, including a saber and a bow with a quiver of arrows, as well as dozens of coins. DNA analysis indicates that one of the warriors may be the father or brother of a teenage warrior in one of the other burials and that all three warriors were related through their paternal lineage.
Located near the village of Akasztó, approximately 92 kilometers southeast of Budapest, the graves were discovered by volunteers from Katona József Museumcommunity archeology program and were excavated by a team of volunteers and professionals led by Wilhelm Gaborthe head of the museum’s archeology department.
The three men were buried in the 920s or 930s, the archaeological team told Live Science in an email. In total, the three burials yielded 81 pieces. Most come from northern Italy and date from the reign of Berengar (888 to 924), a king who ruled parts of Italy and was a great-grandson of Charlemagne. By this time, the Hungarians had formed a kingdom in Hungary and the kingdom’s warriors were involved in military campaigns in northern Italy. It is possible that the warriors in the burials obtained the coins during these campaigns, archaeologists said.
One of the warriors was between 17 and 18 years old when he died and wore a belt partly decorated with gilded silver. On his right side was a leather pouch, known as a sabretache, decorated with a silver plaque.
“On his left hand he wore a gold ring with blue glass stones,” and his “legs were adorned with ornate silver bracelets and anklets,” the archaeologists wrote. Several small gold plaques were found on his body — perhaps remnants of clothing or his shroud, the team suggested. He was also buried with a horse harness which had straps decorated with gilded silver.
Another burial contained a warrior who died at the slightly younger age of 15 or 16. He was buried with a quiver containing seven arrows and a bow. “The arched ends and shaft of his bow were covered with decorative antler plaques,” the archaeological team wrote.
The third burial contained a warrior who died between 30 and 35 years old. It contained a saber, archery equipment, horse harness, a silver bracelet and a belt decorated with coins, archaeologists said. DNA analysis revealed that this individual was likely the father or brother of the youngest warrior and that the three warriors were related.
The team also looked at the ratios of isotopes, or elements with varying numbers of neutrons in their nuclei, in the warriors’ remains. This analysis showed that the three warriors had a diet rich in animal proteins.
Based on the archaeological findings, “it can be said that a group of elite warriors, presumably members of a military leadership, were buried here,” the archaeologists wrote. Research is underway to learn more about the identity of the warriors. We don’t know how they died.
