Harness Fittings from the 7th– 8th Centuries Discovered in Transylvania. Stirrups and Horse Bits

On the territory of Transylvania I have recorded 15settlements where stirrups have been discovered (Tab. 1-2). I have recorded 13 settlements where bits were discovered. In four of them the bits were found in Gepidic-Avar cemeteries (Tab. 3-4). A series of items used for the distribution of harness straps and buckles for the harness leathers were discovered in horse graves or in graves with horses from 7th–8th century Transylvania that belonged to the Avars (Pl. 25). Fragments of iron sets and plates of various sizesfrom the metal structure of horse saddles had been deposited in the grave from Unirea 2/Veresmort (catalogue III. 5) and in the graves with horses from Șpălnaca(catalogue III.4.1). Horse saddles certainly existed in many more inhumation graves from Transylvania but have not been preserved. It should be noted that bothstirrups and bits were found in most graves that contained different types of weapons or other military equipment accessories.