Through the analysis of the 10 th –11 th -century cemeteries of Heves County, the study contrasts the results and hypotheses of historical research and the archaeological material. It seeks answer to the question, whether it is possible to demonstrate in the Mátra piedmonts the assumed presence of the Kabars and the presence of the Petchenegs evidenced in written sources on the basis of archaeological finds. It also examines how the influence of demonstrably early ecclesiastic centres is reflected in 10 th –11 th -century cemeteries. In connection with a specific site, the issue of Avar survival is also touched upon. Finally, the problem of the use of the so-called early toponyms is tackled as well. An important part of the work is made up by the investigation whether cemeteries do reflect the social organization that had been reconstructed by historical and archaeological research during the past decades. To answer these questions, the thesis introduces a new research method in order to avoid the previously employed “mixed reasoning”.