Approche méthodologique pour distinguer un ensemble lésionnel fiable de la pratique cavalière. Exemple du squelette de la tombe 11 du site de « La Tuilerie » à Saint-Dizier (Haute-Marne), vi e siècle

Abstract

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Horse riding and the shape of the acetabulum: Insights from the bioarchaeological analysis of early Hungarian mounted archers (10th century)

“…According to the authors, these results could be related to the riding style or sample and methodological limitations. Finally, through direct measurements and the calculation of an index, one probable Merovingian horse rider revealed very elongated acetabula compared with a reference collection (Baillif‐Ducros et al, ), whereas, with the same method, Sarry, Courtaud, and Cabezuelo () did not observe particularly elongated acetabula in a La Tène period mass burial associating eight horses and eight human individuals. However, bone preservation was a limiting factor.…”

“…All adult age categories were included as a large number of subjects could not be categorised due to the state of preservation. Furthermore, age does not seem to be a bias factor for the changes of the acetabular shape as it is not related to degenerative processes (Baillif‐Ducros et al, ). Erickson et al () found no significant correlation between the estimated age at death and the coefficients used in a Fourier analysis of the acetabular shape.…”

“…The analysis of the acetabular shape relied on direct measurements of the vertical and horizontal diameters of the acetabulum and the calculation of an index, following the approach taken by Baillif‐Ducros et al () and Sarry et al () that we also previously experimented (Berthon et al, ). Although the Fourier analysis used by Erickson et al () seems particularly relevant to capture the changes of the shape of the entire acetabular rim, several portions of the acetabular rim are frequently not preserved in ancient materials.…”

“…The metrics are well‐defined measurements that can be easily taken: VEAC (M22) corresponds to the maximum vertical diameter of the acetabulum, measured as a prolongation of the longitudinal axis of the ischium, and HOAC (M22) is the maximum horizontal diameter, measured perpendicularly to VEAC (Baillif‐Ducros et al, ; Bräuer, ; Bruzek et al, ; Murail et al, ). The measurements are neither external nor internal but taken precisely on the rim of the acetabulum (Figure a).…”

“…The position that is privileged by riders is characterised by a pelvis in retroversion (tilted backward) and a diminished lumbar lordosis that allows a better absorption of vertical stresses (Auvinet, ; Humbert, ). Baillif‐Ducros et al () explain how changes in the acetabular shape can result from pressure of femoral head on the superior and anterior‐superior parts of the acetabula when the hip is in a rider position (Figure ).…”