Discovery of Hungary’s First Known Tomb of a Female Warrior Buried with Her Weapons

The analysis of funerary practices often reveals unexpected aspects of ancient societies, allowing us to better understand their social structures and gender dynamics. A recent study led by researchers from the University of Szeged and the Hungarian Research Institute, published in PLOS ONE, highlights a unique case in the Carpathian Basin. For the first time, a female tomb dating from the 10th century contains a complete set of weapons, a rare phenomenon in the region.

This funerary context raises crucial questions about the social roles of women during the Hungarian conquest. It is not only a question of gender attribution, but also an exploration of possible female participation in activities traditionally associated with men, in particular war, thus redefining established paradigms about medieval Central European societies.

A rich historical and archaeological context

Grave SH-63 is located in the Sárrétudvari-Hízóföld cemetery in Hungary. It represents a striking testimony to the era of the Magyar conquests. The Magyar warriors, ancestors of the Hungarians, were nomadic horsemen from the Eurasian steppes, renowned for their military expertise. They migrated around 830 AD to the Lower Danube region. By the 10th century, their mounted archers dominated central Europe, leading feared incursions and establishing the Kingdom of Hungary. This cemetery, explored for the first time in the 1980s, contains 262 burials dating from the 10th century. It corresponds to the establishment of the Magyars in the Carpathian basin.

Funeral practices of this era were strongly gendered. Indeed, male tombs frequently included weapons and equestrian equipment. There are composite bows, arrows, quivers, bow cases, axes, spears, sabres, swords and saber hilt swords. For their part, those of women were adorned with jewelry and objects linked to domestic life. This contrast reflects well-defined and deeply anchored social roles in this conquering society.

A unique tomb artifact

Tomb SH-63, however, breaks this traditional pattern and attracts attention with its singularity. Alongside typical feminine objects, such as a silver hair ring and beads of glass and semi-precious stones, researchers have identified artifacts associated with warrior practices. Specifically, they found fragments of a quiver, arrows and a horn bow plate.

Artifacts found in Tomb No. 63: 1) arrowhead; 2) bell button; 3) silver hair ring; 4) a pearl necklace; 5) fragments of bell buttons; and 6) deer antler arch plaque (photos taken by Zoltán Faur and edited by Luca Kis). © Tihanyi B., et al., 2024

This unusual association in a female funerary context is exceptional in the archaeological record of this region and period. Weapons found in female burials are often interpreted as symbolic or ritual objects.

A) Photo indicating the current state of conservation of the bones; and B) Photo of burial no. 63 in situ. © Ibolya M Nepper, / Luca Kis

Analysis of the remains of the tomb: clues to an active life

Despite the fragmentary state of SH-63's skeleton, researchers were able to confirm its sex through a combination of anthropological and genetic analyses. The morphological features observed on the skull present typically feminine characteristics. Namely like the small size of the mastoid process and the absence of the occipital crest. These observations were corroborated by genetic analyzes of DNA extracted from the petrous part of the temporal bone. It is a dense region of the skull located at the base, protecting the inner ear. It presents a robust material for ancient DNA, which helped rule out modern contamination.

The bones also show signs of osteopenia. This corresponds to a decrease in bone density often associated with older women. The skeleton also shows old fractures in the upper limbs, notably the humerus and shoulder blades. Researchers attribute these injuries to repeated falls or impacts related to demanding physical activities. They then reveal an intense and unusual lifestyle for a woman of that time.

In addition, the authors noted structural modifications on the muscular insertions of the bones. They indicate an asymmetrical and repeated solicitation of the upper limbs. These alterations are consistent with the frequent use of a bow and gestures related to horse riding. In particular, changes at the radial ridges and ulnar tuberosities suggest repeated movements involving significant force, characteristic of archery. Certainly, these elements do not provide definitive proof of direct involvement in combat. Nevertheless, they attest to active participation in physical practices associated with war or in roles atypical for a woman.

A tomb imposing a revision of social roles

This discovery challenges traditional conceptions of gender roles in the medieval societies of Central Europe. Until now, weapons found in female graves, especially in the Carpathian Basin region, were often interpreted as amulets or symbolic elements. Above all, they reflected social status or bore witness to funeral rituals. However, burial SH-63 is notable for the presence of a complete set of functionally arranged archery-related objects. According to Balázs Tihanyi, lead author, this atypical configuration would indicate active participation of the deceased in military or defense-related activities.

The arrangement of the body and artifacts in the tomb supports the hypothesis of a distinct status. The body is slightly inclined with the knees bent. It breaks with the usual positions of burials from the period of the Hungarian conquest. The objects found, combining female jewelry and weapons, bear witness to a complex social identity. Researchers note that this type of burial has no known precedent in the region or period. “ This discovery raises fundamental questions about the social roles of women and their possible involvement in warlike activities. », explains Tihanyi. By redefining the framework of female responsibilities, this tomb offers an unprecedented insight into social and military dynamics in the 10th century. It opens perspectives for reevaluating cultural practices and gendered norms of the time.

Source: Tihanyi B, Maár K, Kis L, Gînguță A, Varga GIB, Kovács B, et al. (2024) “But no living man am I': Bioarchaeological evaluation of the first-known female burial with weapons from the 10th-century-CE Carpathian Basin”. PLoS ONE 19(11): e0313963