english version?

[stuckinthemud]

Adam Biro  and Peter Bencsik have written what might be a really useful paper 'Tradition from archaeology? Reconstruction of a tenth-century Magyar bow égészeti leletanyagból hagyományélesztés? A magyarhomorog-kónyadombi 103. sír íjrekonstrukciója)'
But although the images, especially of the antler plates on the ears are especially helpful, I don't speak Hungarian.  Anyone know for an English translation? It is listed as Hungarian only.

[Coonst]

Do you mean this one? https://www.academia.edu/11151943/The_Hungarian_Bow_of_9-11th_centuries_-_recommendation_for_bow_constructions_2011_

[stuckinthemud]

That is a really useful guide, but its not the one, unfortunately. The last chapter of the book seems to be Peter's account of building two historically accurate Magyar bows (the on-line preview of the book is the chapter needed by bowyers, lucky us). The other 400 pages are a mystery to me. Anyone interested in the antler work really needs to check the images on pp396-404

[Bjoern Sofeit]

Put the interesting sections into google translate. Hungarian to English works reasonably well to make out what's what. Adam Biro and Peter Bencsik commented on those sideplates a number of times now, they were very rare in graves where archery tackle was also present. Biro meant that the antler plates were likely attributes of nobles.

They do however give a good impression of the cross-section of the ear looked like, also notice the bulbous shape of the grip.

[Coonst]

Too bad I didn't look up your description more properly. Honestly, I just saw Peter Brencsik's name, and "just knew" it "had to be" the linked one. Sorry.

[stuckinthemud]

No worries, that guide is on my essential reading list, I've even printed off a copy. 😁

[Coonst]

And it is totally worth it!