Diverse communities - The anthropological picture of the Danube–Tisza Interfluve in the Avar Period

The anthropological record of few historical periods is as well-researched as that of the Avar Period, a timespan of 250 years when the diverse population of the Avar Khaganate consisted of Avars of Asian origin, other peoples of eastern steppe origin arriving with them, the local population of the Carpathian Basin, and populations migrating there from neighbouring regions.
The first relatively large eastern groups settled in the area between the Danube and Tisza rivers in the early 7th century AD; in the following centuries, more waves arrived. Based on available bioarchaeological results, the population of this area had features resembling their Inner Asian ancestors the most; based on complete skulls, the proportion of such individuals was about 20%. The composition of the Avar Period population changed by region, and the three major units (Transdanubia, the Trans-Tisza Region, and the Danube-Tisza Interfluve), even if they were not homogenous, all had their specific anthropological characters.
Creating conditions suitable for survival was a huge challenge for the people of the time, including those living in the Danube-Tisza Interfluve. Based on the results of the morphological analysis of their bones, the most frequent pathologic (arthritic and inflammatory) lesions affected the large joints and the spine, often appearing, as the result of a physically demanding life, already at a relatively young age. Disorders of the hematopoietic organs, indicating malaria, anaemia, or parasitic infections, also occur in a relatively high part of the population. Moreover, Avar Period people encountered tuberculosis and leprosy, too, the occurrence of which, based on the identified cases, was not occasional.
The results of the anthropological evaluation of the human skeletal remains from newly excavated Avar Period cemeteries in Bács-Kiskun County corroborate previous findings but also raise new questions. The communities behind these cemeteries had a fundamentally European (europid) character, including both morphological characteristics and material culture (Hajós Grave 52, Szentkirály Grave 7, Kecskemét Grave 3100, Kelebia Grave 393). Besides, this population had a component represented by individuals with strong eastern features and likely Asian ancestors (Soltvadkert Grave 241, Kecskemét Grave 3153), as well as transitions between the two, indicating mixing (Hajós Grave 62, Nagykőrös Grave 59).