Animals and humans

‘All creatures great and small’

The artistic quality of the Palaeolithic cave paintings and carved figurines known from several sites in Europe (but not from Hungary) reflects a deep knowledge of these animals and a close relationship maintained with them. The countless and exceptionally diverse depictions of animals on archaeological finds (including vessels, small pottery figurines, and later, metal jewellery items) from the past millennia reflect a similarly intimate connection.

Beliefs and religions also stem from the connection with nature; accordingly, many cultures had some particular animals they favoured, respected, or even worshipped as gods or seen as the embodiment of supernatural powers and attached totemic ideas to them. The focus shifted throughout history: in the Neolithic and the Copper Age, symbolism revolved around cattle; in the Bronze Age, around waterfowl; in the Scythian world, around deer, birds of prey, and panthers; while in Celtic imagery around deer and wild boar.

Dog bones are conspicuously frequent finds on Sarmatian sites, and not by accident: large herding dogs were important in animal farming, while greyhound-like breeds were an immense help in hunts on the vast plains. A comb decorated with horse head motifs from a woman’s grave is evidence that animals were equally important in the lives of women and men.

The most characteristic element of Avar Period attire was mount-decorated belts; the decorative mounts featured a diverse set of patterns built of geometric and plant motifs and depictions of animals and humans. Avar beliefs have yet to be reconstructed, but gryphons, a mythical animal often depicted on these mounts, may be a reference to them. The motif of a bird with a branch in its beak was probably of Christian origin; however, it is a simple one, which peoples with other beliefs, including the Magyar (Hungarian) conquerors, may have borrowed and merged into their art.