Paleopathological changes in an early iron age horse skeleton from the Central Balkans (Serbia)

The study presents an analysis of a horse skeleton discovered in the timber and earth frame of the rampart surrounding the ducal stronghold in Gda nsk. The body of the animal was deposited sometime from the beginning of the 11th to the mid-12th century. The male horse was aged 8-9 years old and had an estimated withers height of 128 cm (12.6 hands). The dentition and lesions on the skull suggest that the horse was used for riding. Two types of skeletal injuries are visible-the first resulted from the use of the horse and is visible on the skull, teeth, vertebrae, and limb bones. Such bone lesions are described in modern literature on equine medicine; therefore, their aetiology and clinical manifestation are described. The second group of injuries are lesions located in topographically distant areas: the skull, thoracic vertebrae, ribs, and limb bones. Their common feature is a proliferative periosteal reaction. Their aetiology cannot be definitely stated on the basis of the available material. They may be considered an effect of mechanical load-bearing resulting from the excessive use of the horse but also may reflect a generalized infection.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pathologies of a horse skeleton from the early medieval stronghold in Gdańsk (Poland)

Makowiecki

Janeczek

Pasicka

et al. 2022

“…The domestication of the horse ( Equus caballus ) and above all horse‐riding changed human lifestyles substantially (Anthony, 2007. In particular, it accelerated human migration and cultural interactions across continents and also resulted in pathological manifestations on the skeletons of horses (Bulatović et al, 2014; Pluskowski et al, 2010; Taylor et al, 2015). The impact of life on horseback for humans, however, remains poorly understood.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Horse‐riding as a habitual activity among the early medieval Avar population of the cemetery of Csokorgasse (Vienna): Sex and chronological differences

Bühler

Kirchengast

2022

Little is known about sex and gender differences in the daily life activities of early medieval Avar populations. Of particular interest is habitual horse-riding, which is assumed to be typical for these populations. Importantly, fundamental changes in the "Avar lifestyle" occurred over time and this may have led to less horse-riding. This study identifies possible sex and chronological differences in the prevalence of metric and nonmetric traits indicating habitual horse-riding within the adult population of the Avar cemetery Wien11-Csokorgasse in Austria. A total of 149 skeletons from this cemetery (ca. 625-800 AD) were analyzed. Poirier's facets, plaque, and cribriform changes of the femur-neck junction were documented, and the index of ovalization (IOA) of the acetabulum was calculated. Males surpassed females significantly in the prevalence of Poirier's facets of the right (p = 0.011) and the left femur (p = 0.048) and showed significantly higher IOAs of the right (p = 0.019) and the left (p = 0.037) acetabulum. Among males, no chronological differences in the appearance of nonmetric traits and the IOA were detected. In contrast, females showed a significantly higher IOA during the earliest phases of this burial ground (Early Avar period 2/Middle Avar period 1; 625-675 AD), indicating a chronological decline of habitual horseriding. Horse-riding was a typical male activity. Our results, however, suggest that a particular segment of women practiced horse-riding habitually. From the early to the middle phase of the studied Avar cemetery, its prevalence declined in females, pointing to changes in female daily life activities.

“…The significance of horseback riding and mounted warfare is also evident in the zooarcheological literature, which has seen a significant growth in paleopathological studies related to the history of equestrianism during recent years. These include pathologies related to bit wear (Albizuri et al, 2019;Anthony & Brown, 2011;Bendrey, 2007aBendrey, , 2007cBendrey et al, 2013;Li et al, 2020;Outram et al, 2009;Taylor et al, 2021), osseous changes to the mandible and cranium due to bridling (Bendrey, 2007a;Cosack, 2013;Onar et al, 2013;Taylor et al, 2015), studies of intervertebral ankylosis or spondylitic changes (Bartosiewicz & Bartosiewicz, 2002;Bulatovi c et al, 2014;Janeczek et al, 2014;Li et al, 2020;Lignereux & Bouet, 2015), and vertebral endplate lesions (Baron, 2018;Bendrey, 2007c;Levine et al, 2000Levine et al, , 2005Li et al, 2020;Pluskowski et al, 2010). Together, these studies have greatly contributed to the development of new methodologies and to our knowledge of the use of horses in prehistoric and protohistoric times.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Early Iron Age cavalry? Evidence of oral and thoracolumbar pathologies on possible warhorses from Iron Age, Denmark

Kveiborg

Nørgaard²

2022

This article presents paleopathological analyses of six adult male Iron Age horses (4th century BC to 5th century AD) found in association with large amounts of ritually deposited warrior paraphernalia including horse tack. Pathological lesions have been observed on all six horses. The observed pathologies can be divided into three major categories: oral pathologies including abnormal dental wear, spinal pathologies and trauma, and pathologies of the limb bones. Some of the observed pathologies (e.g., cranial asymmetry) are most likely developmental, and some (e.g., arthritic thoracolumbar lesions and bone spavin) are possibly age related. Other observed lesions, such as mandibular periostitis (bony spurs) at the dorsal interalveolar margin and abnormal dental wear, seem to be more directly associated with horseback riding or the use of bits. The close match between a reconstructed ported bit from one of the sites included in the study and dental lesions and wear in two of the horses suggests that the horses were ridden with equipment strongly connected to warfare. The presence of vertebral endplate fractures in the thoracolumbar region in three of the horses may further relate to the use of horses for riding. The analyses thus support previous studies in suggesting that pathologies located in the lower thoracic/lumbar region and various types of bit wear are indicative of horseback riding.