A groundbreaking study has confirmed that a burial excavated in eastern Hungary from the 10th century CE belonged to a female, overturning longstanding assumptions based on grave goods. Known as Grave SH‑63, this burial was among 262 graves from the Sárrétudvari–Hízóföld cemetery dating to the period of the Hungarian Conquest. Unlike most burials there—where male graves commonly included archery equipment and horse gear, while female graves featured predominantly jewelry—the mix of both weaponry and adornments in SH‑63 prompted a detailed interdisciplinary investigation.
Using a combination of archaeological, anthropological, and archaeogenetic analyses, researchers led by Balázs Tihanyi of the University of Szeged confirmed that SH‑63 belonged to an older adult woman. Though preservation was poor, DNA testing from multiple skeletal regions and morphological indicators ('female' cranial traits, plus osteoporosis) consistently pointed to a female identity (PLOS).
Grave Goods, Lifestyle Markers, and the Question of Warrior Status
A) Silhouette of the skeleton of SH-63 (drawing by Luca Kis based on the original field drawing by Ibolya M. Nepper); B) Illustration of the burial based on archaeological, anthropological, and archaeogenetic data (drawing by Luca Kis).
The inventory in Grave SH‑63 included a silver penannular hair ring, bell buttons, a string of stone and glass beads, an armor-piercing arrowhead, iron fragments of a quiver, and an antler bow plate—a configuration typical of male weapon graves, yet paired with feminine ornaments, making SH‑63 a unique case in the cemetery (Phys.org).
Osteological examination revealed signs of physical activity and trauma: healed fractures in the upper arm and shoulders, joint morphology changes on the right side, and osteoporosis. These traits mirror patterns observed in male individuals buried with archery and riding equipment at the same site, indicating SH‑63 likely performed repetitive tasks, perhaps horseback riding or archery—though not necessarily combat.
While tantalizing, the evidence does not conclusively prove she was a warrior; the term “warrior” implies a formal rank or legal status not discernible from archaeology alone. The presence of weaponry in female graves—previously documented among earlier groups like the Sarmatians or Avars—has often been interpreted as symbolic or protective rather than functional (National Geographic).
Broader Significance: Gender Roles and Archaeological Interpretation
The skeletal remains discovered in grave No. 63.
A) Photo indicating the current state of preservation of the bones (photo by Luca Kis);
B) Photo of the burial No. 63 in situ (photo taken by Ibolya M Nepper, edited by Luca Kis).
This discovery is particularly significant because it challenges assumptions based solely on grave goods and gender. Researchers caution against interpreting weapon burials without comprehensive analysis—using multiple lines of evidence (genetics, morphology, context)—to avoid overinterpretation.
SH‑63 stands as the first confirmed female burial with full archery equipment from the Carpathian Basin during the Hungarian Conquest period. It opens new questions about gender roles, societal complexity, and how daily life in 10th-century Hungary may have included active roles for women beyond domestic spheres. The case encourages further comparative studies of similar graves to understand whether SH‑63 was exceptional or part of a broader trend.
This case not only enriches our understanding of early medieval Hungarian society but also highlights how bioarchaeological methods can refine our interpretations of gender, social identity, and activity patterns in the past. Let me know if you’d like a shorter summary or a formatted version for publication.
