LITHUANIAN VETERINARY ACADEMY
Abstracts
of the third International conference
of the Animal Palaeopathology Working
Group (APWG) of the International Council
for Archaeozoology (ICAZ)
6-8 September 2007, Kaunas
ISBN 978-9986-456-23-0
Knygos brūkšninis kodas: 9789986456230
Scientific and organising committee of the conference:
prof. Henrikas Žilinskas (Lithuania)
prof. Torstein Sjøvold (Sweden)
Assoc. Prof. Anne Karin Hufthammer (Norway)
dr. Richard Thomas (United Kingdom)
Assoc. Prof. Rimantas Jankauskas (Lithuania)
prof. Daniel Makowiecki (Poland)
prof. Vidmantas Bižokas (Lithuania)
prof. Linas Daugnora (Lithuania)
dr. Snieguolė Veličkaitė (Lithuania)
Eugenijus Jurgelėnas (Lithuania)
Reviewers:
Linas Daugnora
Richard Thomas
Editors:
Richard Thomas
Linas Daugnora
LIETUVOS VETERINARIJOS AKADEMIJA
„Gyvūnų paleopatologijos
diagnostika ir analizė: dabartinė situacija,
galimybės ir perspektyvos"
„Recording strategies and analytical methods
in animal palaeopathology: practices,
possibilities and problems“
Rugsėjo 6-8, Kaunas
Nuoširdi padėka konferencijos rėmėjams:
Lietuvos valstybinis mokslo ir studijų fondas
Lithuanian State Science and Studies Foundation
Lietuvos morfologų draugija
Lithuanian Society of Morphologists
„Intervet Baltic States“
PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME
Day 1, Thursday, 06. 09. 2007
(Lithuanian Veterinary Academy conference room)
12.00 - 13.00 - Arrival and registration
13.00 - 14.00 - Lunch
14.00 - 16.00 - APWG meeting (all welcome)
16.00 - 18.00 - Specimen workshop
Day 2, Friday, 07. 09. 2007
(Lithuanian Veterinary Academy conference room)
09.45 - 10.00 - Opening of the conference
10.00 - 10.45 - Keynote lecture
Rimantas Jankauskas: Human and animal palaeopathologies: similar, but not
completely
10.45 - 11.00 - Tea/coffee
11.00 - 13.00 - Oral presentation session 1: methods in animal palaeopathology
11.00 - 11.20 - Stephanie Vann: Recording animal palaeopathology: a new
methodology
11.25 - 11.45 Monika Martiniakova, R. Omelka, B. Grosskopf, M. Vondráková
and M. Bauerová: Mammalian bone microstructure and some pathological conditions
11.50 - 12.10 Don Brothwell: Problems of Differential Diagnosis in Pleistocene Mammal
Pathology
12.15 - 12.35 László Bartosiewicz: Description, diagnosis and the use of published
data in animal palaeopathology
12.40 - 13.00 Richard Thomas: Interpreting animal palaeopathology – an
opportunity missed?
13.00 - 14.00 - Lunch
14.00 - 16.00 - Oral presentation session 2: case studies in animal palaeopathology
14.00 - 14. 20 Erika Gal: Bone evidence of pathological lesions in domestic hen
(Gallus domesticus Linnaeus, 1758)
14.25 - 14. 45 Torstein Sjøvold and Anne Karin Hufthammer: Recent discoveries
of pathologies among artiodactyls and perissodactyls relevant to zooarchaeology
14.50 - 15.10 Jan Storå: Skeletal lesions in the sacroiliac joint in seals – a method for
sex estimation
15.15 - 15.35 Lembi Lõugas and Jan Storå: Bone pathologies and morphological
abnormalities of modern and prehistoric seals in the Baltic Sea
15.40 - 16.00 - Tea/coffee
16.00 - 17.30 - Poster presentations
Robin Bendry: On the identification of bitting damage in archaeological horse
remains: assessment of new and extant methods
Pere-Miquel Parés i Casanova and Jordi Jordana i Vidal: Cephalic skull
measurements to differentiate male and female bovine skulls
Linas Daugnora and Daniel Makowiecki: Specific anatomical pecularities or
pathologies of the postcranial skeletons of dogs.
Eugenijus Jurgelėnas: Prevalence of bone and teeth pathologies in modern red fox
and raccoon dog populations in Lithuania
Sergey Leshchinskiy, Alina Krzemińska and Piotr Wojtal: Palaeoecological analysis
of mammoth remains from the Kraków Spadzista Street (B) site
Elisabeth Llado, Lluis Gaitero, Marti Pumarola and Maria Saña: Perforations in
archaeological Neolithic cattle skulls: a new methodological approximation for their
study and explanation
Ola Magnell: Carious lesions on teeth of reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) - an indicator of
domestication?
Ola Magnell and Richard Carter: The chronology of tooth development in wild boar a guide for age determination of linear enamel hypoplasia in pigs
Liina Maldre: Pathological bones from the archaeozoological material of Estonian
towns
Monika Martiniaková, R. Omelka, B. Grosskopf, V. Parkányi, M. Bauerová and
P. Chrenek: A possible case of pathology in femora of genetically modified rabbits
Arnis Mugurēvičs and I. Dūrītis: The case of cattle (Bos taurus) intertarsal and
tarsometatarsal bone joint anomalies in the middle ages and today
Algis Noreika, Petras Mačiulskis and Linas Daugnora: Sidebones in horses
Lidar Sapir-Hen, Noa Raban-Gerstel, Guy Bar-Oz and, Tamar Dayan:
Palaeopathology survey of livestock mammals in Israel
Kriss Seetah: Palaeopathology on horse remains from Malbork Castle: an indicator of
heavy armour use?
Ylva Telldahl: A recording system for exostoses in cattle calcanei and in spavin in
cattle and horses: an evaluation of first results.
Jen Wooding: TB or not TB? That is the question! Manifestation, identification and
diagnosis of tuberculosis in faunal remains from archaeological contexts
19.00 – 22.00 - Conference dinner (Museum in Rumšiškės and folk ensemble
“Kupolė” )
Day 3 Saturday, 08.09.2007
(Lithuanian Veterinary Academy conference room)
9.00 - 12.00 - Oral presentation session 3: case studies in animal palaeopathology
9.00 - 9.20 Alina Krzeminska and Piotr Wojtal: Preliminary studies of woolly
mammoth pathologies at the Kraków Spadzista Street (B) site
9.25 - 9.45 Theo Antikas: They didn’t shoot horses: fracture management in a horse
of the 5th century BCE from Sindos, Central Macedonia, Greece
9.50 - 10.10 Daniel Makowiecki and Linas Daugnora: Palaeopathological
peculiarities of the skeleton of Roman period dogs from Poland
10.15 - 10.35 Richard Thomas: „The Righteous Man … is Merciful to his Beast”:
using palaeopathological evidence to assess the welfare of traction animals in
medieval England
10.40 - 11.00 - Tea/coffee
Introduction
Animal disease can have a profound effect on society - one only needs to look
at recent media coverage of the potential of an avian flu pandemic to recognise this.
However, the study of animal disease on past societies has been limited by poor data
collection practices and there has been only "minor interest in methodological
development" (Thomas and Mainland 2005, 1). This conference seeks to address this
problem by bringing together zooarchaeologists, human osteologists and
veterinarians from around the world to discuss the theory and practice of recording
and reporting incidences of animal palaeopathology.
We would like to encourage participants to discuss the application of existing
methods, the development of new methodologies and techniques, and/or highlight
the potential of future developments.
References:
Thomas, R. and Mainland, I. 2005. Introduction: animal diet and health current perspectives and future directions, pp. 1-7, in Davies, J., Fabiš, M.,
Mainland, I., Richards, M. and Thomas, R. (eds.), Diet and Health in Past Animal
Populations: Current Research and Future Directions. Oxford, Oxbow.
CONFERENCE ABSTRACTS
They didn’t shoot horses: facture management in a horse of the 5th
Century BCE from Sindos,
Central Macedonia, Greece
Theo G. ANTIKAS, Skagit Valley College, Mt Vernon, WA 98274, USA
Abstract. Five horses and two dogs buried in a human cemetery of the 4th-7th
c. BCE were un-earthed in 2004-5, during a rescue archaeology project at Sindos,
southwest of the city of Thessalonike. One of the five horses was juxtaposed to a
human and a dog burial and was an adult mare dating to the 5th c. BCE. Extensive
lower leg pathology suggested use as a pack or cart horse. The presence of an old,
compound fracture of Mc-3 in her left foot that had sufficiently healed, as shown by
macroscopic and X-ray evaluation, indicates that management of bone fractures was
practiced as early as, or earlier than the 5th c. BCE. The animal survived the
compound fracture for more than 3-4 years, although the fractured metacarpal
shows a considerable post- treatment angle coupled with osteomyelitis. It is
postulated that the lame mare may have carried her loving owner’s cart to the grave,
then sacrificed in situ and laid next to him. This archaic burial habit first mentioned
in Homer’s Iliad (8th c. BCE) has been substantiated by several man-and-horse
burials found in northern Greece.
Description, diagnosis and the use of published data in animal
palaeopathology
László BARTOSIEWICZ, Department of Archaeological Sciences, Loránd Eötvös
University, H 1088 Budapest, Múzeum körút 4/B
Abstract. In order to offer viable environmental and cultural interpretations to
archaeologists, experts in ancient animal disease are hard-pressed to diagnose the
pathological conditions whose osteomorphological symptoms are recognised during
routine archaeozoological analysis. Since, however, live bone tissue is known to have
a limited repertoire of responses, it may often react in similar ways to radically
different pathogenic factors. Hence the usefulness of readily published diagnoses is
understandably debated in the literature, and various scholarly efforts have been
made for developing standardised descriptions of symptoms that would make
comparisons between pathological specimens more realistic and reliable. In
addition, however, there is a major body of such finds already published in the
literature,
whose
diagnoses
should
be
critically
integrated
in
the
statistical/epidemiological evaluation of newly recovered palaeopathological finds.
Based on the synthesis of hundreds of individual bone finds extracted from
numerous publications spanning over half a century, the author of this paper
attempts to review the applicability of such data, demonstrating how their
usefulness varies depending on the types of questions posed and the physiological
nature of different pathological conditions.
On the identification of bitting damage in
archaeological horse remains: assessment of
new and extant methods
Robin BENDREY, Department of Archaeology Faculty of Social Sciences
University of Winchester West Hill Winchester Hampshire, SO22 4NR UK
Abstract. The impact of horse use on human society and economy in the past
was immense (e.g. Levine 1996). Our understanding of this past, however, is based
on information extracted from the partial and fragmentary archaeological record of
this activity. The data extracted from this record is only as good as the recording
and analytical methods we employ.
One way of investigating the use of horses in the past is through the
identification of bitting damage. The presence of evidence for a bit having been used
on a horse indicates that the animal was ridden or driven. This paper reviews and
evaluates methods for identifying bitting damage in archaeological horse remains.
The paper will present new methods for recording and analysing bitting
damage to horse lower second premolars and mandibular diastemata to better
identify horse use (Bendrey in press). These methods are based on comparative
analyses of collections of modern equids with known uses. The applications and
limitations of these techniques will be assessed. Previously published methods and
research into this subject (e.g. Brown and Anthony 1998) will also be reviewed and
evaluated. Finally, possible future applications and developments of bitting studies
will be considered.
References
Bendrey R in press, ‘New methods for the identification of evidence for bitting on horse
remains from archaeological sites’. Journal of Archaeological Science.
Brown D and Anthony D 1998, ‘Bit Wear, Horseback Riding and the Botai Site in
Kazakstan’. Journal of Archaeological Science 25. p.331-347.
Levine M A 1996, ‘Domestication of the horse’. In, Fagan B M, Beck C, Michaels G,
Scarre C and Silberman N A (eds.), The Oxford Companion to Archaeology. New York; Oxford
University Press. p.315-317.
Problems of Differential Diagnosis in Pleistocene Mammal Pathology
Don BROTHWELL
Department of Archaeology, The King's Manor YORK, Y01 7EP, UK
Abstract. One of the major problems in evaluating vertebrate bone pathology,
is ensuring a balanced differential diagnosis. While some conditions are well known
and described, and thus diagnosis can be quickly and positively arrived at, other
bone changes may defy easy recognition. Even with good surface and radiographic
detail, diagnosis may remain problematic. By reference to faunal material from the
Pleistocene site of Lynford, south-east England, a number of specimens will be
discussed from the point of view of alternate explanations for the pathology seen.
Indeed, we might ask the questions, are we in this stage of development of
vertebrate palaeopathology, always sure of what is even pathology rather than
uncommon but normal variation? And where there is a possible association between
vertebrate fauna and human hunters or farmers, to what extent can we hope to
ascribe pathology to natural causes rather than to human influences? In the case of
the small Lynford sample, only 32 animals are represented (10 species), with eleven
animals being mammoth. So the amount of pathology was surprising for so few
animals, and diagnosis was by no means easy. Clearly, human influences should
not be left out of the evaluation of the pathology, but they may not be easy to
evaluate.
Cephalic skull measurements to differentiate male and female bovine
skulls
Pere-Miquel Parés i CASANOVA, Jordi Jordana i VIDAL
Unitat de Genètica, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de
Barcelona, Spain
Abstract. A sample of near 799 bovine fresh adult skulls (distributed among
117 males and 682 females) belonging to 10 different domestic cattle breeds from
Spain and France was examined. The studied breeds (Aubrac, Bruna dels Pirineus,
Friesian, Red Friesian, Limousin, Brown Swiss, Pyrenean, Blonde d’Aquitanie,
Salers and Charolais) descend from different European ancestor trunks. The heads
were obtained from slaughtered animals and at all events were from absolute pure
animals according to the racial standard. A total of 9 cephalic lineal measurements
and 7 derived indexes were obtained on each skull. Some original aurochs skulls are
used, too. The values between sexes were individually compared to discriminate
measures to differentiate male and female skulls were found in each breed and
globally.
Given their number-based nature, cephalic measurements and indexes allow
comparisons between breeds from very different geographical areas as well as
permitting the development of research into breeds using exclusively bone material.
Moreover, our presented numbers could act as reference values for further
morphometrical craneological studies on sexual dimorphism.
Specific anatomical pecularities or pathologies of the postcranial
skeletons of dogs
Linas DAUGNORA1, Daniel MAKOWIECKI2
1Osteological
laboratory, Lithuanian Veterinary Academy, Department of
Anatomy and Physiology, Tilžės 18, LT- 4781, Kaunas , Lithuania
2Laboratory for Natural Environment Reconstruction, Institute of Archaeology,
Nicolaus Copernicus University, Szosa Bydgoska 44/48, PL 87-100 Toruń.
Poland
Abstract. Dogs skeletons investigated for palaeopathology were discovered at
seven archaeological settlements in Kujavia on the Polish Lowland. The deposits
belong to prehistoric and Roman periods. Most of individuals were buried within
sanctuaries, temples and less frequently inside settlements.
Pathologies of the postcranial skeleton were noted on all individuals in
different parts of the axial skeleton. On the vertebral column we revealed traumatic
fractures and/or impingement or overlap of the dorsal spinous processes in the
thoracic and lumbar vertebrae.
Analysis of the ligaments and joints of the vertebral column of the dog showed,
that all skeletal changes were related to the long ligaments and a special group of
muscles which elevate, flex and rotate the cervical, thoracic and lumbar vertebral
column. Ossification process began in the supraspinous (lig. supraspinale) and
ventral longitudinal (lig. longitudinale ventrale) ligaments. Analysis of the processus
spinosus of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae region shows ossification of the
interspinal muscles (mm. interspinales), because dog‘s lack interspinal ligaments
(ligg. interspinalia).
Macroscopic analysis of the skeleton of the antebrachium (forearm, ossa
antebrachii) and skeleton of legs (skeleton cruris, ossa cruris) revealed ossification of
the interosseous membrane
(membrana interossea antebrachii, desmoiditis
ossificans membrana interossea antebrachii) and crural interosseous membrane
(ossa cruris, desmoiditis ossificans membrana interossea cruris).
The question is posed whether these ossifications of the interosseous
membrane are physiological (i.e. age related) or pathological.
Bone evidence of pathological lesions in domestic hen (Gallus
domesticus Linnaeus, 1758)
Erika GÁL, Archaeological Institute of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Uri
u. 49, 1014 Budapest, Hungary
Abstract. Domestic hen (Gallus domesticus Linnaeus, 1758) was the earliest
domesticated bird. Its first valid archaeological evidence dates back to the Iron Age
in Europe. As the earliest fowl tamed and kept by people, it has been exposed to
various physical and physiological trials resulting from animal husbandry. It is not
an accident, therefore, that most of the archaeological avian remains reflecting
pathological lesions belong to this species.
Evidence from Hungary, dating from the Roman Period to modern days, includes a
number of finds showing traces of various mechanical and infected traumas as well
as genetic disorders and metabolic diseases. Healed fractures of a small grade
exacerbated by dislocations form mainly the first category. Inflammations
manifested in joints such as the elbow and knee may be regarded a transitional
group to contagious diseases. The latter includes osteopetrosis that causes skeletal
deformations chiefly by the thickening of diaphysis in long bones. This viral disease
caused by the avian leucosis virus (ALV) has affected birds since the Roman Period
as evidenced by remains found along the Pannonian.
Human and animal palaeopathologies: similar, but not completely
Rimantas JANKAUSKAS, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Lithuania
Abstract. Both human and animal palaeopathology share several common
methodological features: 1. in most general terms, pathological lesions are the
consequence of interactions between harmful agents and bone tissue, that as a rule
reacts in a limited set of ways – atrophy, hypertrophy or combination of both; 2.
interpretation of abnormal changes can be twofold („osteological paradox“): absence
of pathological lesions can mean either absence of disease, or it’s extreme severity,
while the presence of pathologies could mean good resistance to pathological agents
and good survival; 3. similar post-mortem taphonomic processes that take place may be misinterpreted as pathological. On the other hand, possible differences in
morphology and incidences of pathological changes may be caused by at least two
factors: 1. inter-species differences within bone and dental tissue biology; and 2.
different attitudes to sick human and sick animal in the past (and to some extent in
the present as well). The last fact suggests that one can expect fewer pathologies on
animal bones, thus each such case deserves a special analysis and interpretation.
Each statement will be illustrated with examples from human palaeopathology
during the presentation.
Prevalence of bone and teeth pathologies in red fox and raccoon dog
populations in Lithuania
Eugenijus JURGELĖNAS, Lithuanian Veterinary Academy, Department of
Anatomy and Physiology, Tilžės 18, LT-47181, Kaunas, Lithuania
Abstract. Up until now, only the diet and ecology of red foxes and raccoon
dogs have been the focus of scientific attention (Baltrūnaitė 2005, 2006). However,
the skeletal collections of these animals in the Osteology Laboratory in the
Department of Anatomy and Physiology of Lithuanian Veterinary Academy, has
provided the opportunity to undertake morphological and osteometrical research on
contemporary skeletons of these species (Jurgelėnas et al. 2005). The aim of the
present study is to present the analysis of the mostly occurring bone pathologies in
these two species, and to systematize and discuss the data.
Hunted raccoon dogs and red foxes were studied from 2003 to 2005 in
different regions of Lithuania (Jurbarkas, Kaunas, Alytus, Tauragė, Kėdainiai,
Utena, Telšiai, and Zarasai). In total, 73 skeletons were examined, which included
35 red foxes (18 female, 17 male) and 38 raccoon dogs (18 female, 20 male). The
skeletons were analysed macroscopically and the pathologies found were diagnosed
with reference to veterinary literature (Jubb et al. 1993; Eisenmerger et al. 1985).
Bone and teeth pathologies were found in 46 specimens (63%), of which 22
(57%) belonged to raccoon dogs and 24 (68%) to red foxes. Observed pathologies
were divided in to three groups:
 Bone fractures were found in eleven cases (four vertebrae, three scapulae,
one pelvis and three crural bones).
 Inflammatory processes (periostitis, osteitis and osteomyelitis), were found
in 53 cases (four vertebrae, one scapula, five humeri, seven forelimb bones,
twenty-one pelves, eight femora and seven crural bone).
 Dental numerical anomalies and inflammatory dental pathology were found
in twelve cases (ten dental numerical anomalies, one dental decay and one
periodontitis).
The causes of these pathologies will be discussed.
References:
Baltrūnaitė L. 2006. Diet and winter habitat us of the red fox, pine marten and raccoon
dog in Dzūkija National Park, Lithuania. Acta Zoologica Lituanica 16 (1): 46–53.
Baltrūnaitė L. 2005. Seasonal diet diversity of raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides
Gray) in different landscapes, Lithuania. Acta Biologica Universitatis Daugavpiliensis 5 (1): 75–
83.
Eisenmenger E. and Zenter K. 1985. Veterinary Dentistry. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger.
Jubb K. V., Kennedy P. C. and Palmer N. 1993. Pathology of the Domestic Animals.
Volume 1. (4th edition) London: Academic Press Inc.
Jurgelėnas, E., and Daugnora, L. 2005. Rudosios lapės ir usūrinio šuns kaukolių
osteometrinis tyrimas. Veterinarija ir zootechnika 32 (54): 11–15.
Preliminary studies of woolly mammoth pathologies at the Kraków
Spadzista Street (B) site.
Alina KRZEMIŃSKA, Piotr WOJTAL, Institute of Systematics and Evolution of
Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sławkowska 17, 31-016 Kraków, Poland
Abstract. A locality of Kraków Spadzista Street (B) site (Poland) is known for a
large assemblage of mammoth bones accompanied by human artifacts from the
Gravettian technocomplex. The age, according to radiocarbon dating, approximates
to about 24,000 years BP, placing the site in the Last Glacial Maximum. It is
assumed that this place was a mammoth butchering, and probably mammoth
hunting site as well. Woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius) is represented by
99% of the faunal remains at this site (c. 7000 bones and teeth), which are
attributed to about 86 individuals. Other large mammals are known only from
isolated bones and teeth.
The age profile of the mammoths is characteristic for a stable population with
the largest number belonging to young individuals (up to 12 years old), with other
age categories represented in decreasing proportions. This age profile could
represent time-averaged, natural, but non-selective deaths or also abrupt, nonselective kills affecting whole herds.
The present study resulted in stating that a share of the mammoth bones bore
pathological changes. The most frequent were:
– broken fibulae and ribs, healed during the animals’ lifetime;
– additional holes and asymmetry in the neural spinosus of vertebrae;
– ankylosis: two carpals (capitatum and hamatum) were fused together, as were
two thoracic vertebrae;
– malformations of metapodium and phalanges;
– oral pathology: including a mandible with two twisted teeth (M 3) and furrows
on the cement surface of teeth;
– holes in bones (e.g. the astragalus and ribs) due to abscess.
The study of these pathologies is ongoing; however, our present purpose is to
estimate whether their frequency was characteristic of a natural healthy population
of mammoths, or should be rather ascribed to human selection of impaired
individuals.
This study was partly supported by grant Ministry of Science and Higher
Education 2 P04C 081 30 for years 2006-2009.
Palaeoecological analysis of mammoth remains from the Kraków
Spadzista Street (B) site
Sergey LESHCHINSKIY1, Alina KRZEMIŃSKA2, Piotr WOJTAL2
1 Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia
2 Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences
Sławkowska 17, 31-016 Kraków, Poland
Abstract. It is a commonly-held opinion that destructive changes in the
remains of Pleistocene mammals, mammoths in particular, are few in number.
Paleontologists usually report on separate bones and teeth with externally visible
pathological changes, whereas destructive failures often develop within
morphologically "normal" (with an undisturbed shape) elements of a skeleton and
thereby remain unnoticed. This seems to result from the fact that extensive
paleoecological analyses of all remains found during excavation have yet to be
performed. The majority of collections from northern Eurasia include only a part (up
to 60 per cent) of the material detected in searching Palaeolithic encampments and
faunal localities. The reason is that in sampling, preference has been given to intact
bones and teeth, while the material preserved poorly is usually discarded after field
analyses.
At present, of the greatest importance are complete collections, which have
precise contextual and dating evidence. In this context, the material obtained from
one of the greatest European localities of mammoths – Kraków Spadzista Street (B) –
is of particular interest. The collection is stored at the Institute of Systematics and
Evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences (Kraków) and includes over 7000
fragments, intact bones and teeth of Mammuthus primigenius Blum. Its peculiarity
lies in the high rate of fragmented specimens, thus serving in numerous cases to
reveal the symptoms of diseases (primarily, osteoporosis) in the locomotor system of
animals.
Preliminary results of the paleoecological analysis performed in 2005-06
revealed the high incidence of destructive changes (over 50% of the overall quantity
of bones), of which the majority are osteoporosis, fibrous osteodystrophy and
diseases of joints (ulcers, friction grooves, atrophy of cartilages, and others). More
than 1000 detailed photographs of the destruction of mammoth bones and teeth
were made demonstrating dramatic pictures of metabolic imbalance presumably
originating from mineral deficiency. The analysis of different elements of the
skeleton revealed that the maximum number of lesions occurred in the vertebrae
and ribs (over 80%) and also in cranium, ulna, tibia and fibula (over 60%). Different
bones of the distal parts of limbs (hands and feet) have 25 to 70% destructive
changes. It is significant to note the high rate of dystrophy in mammoth calves.
The similar rates and analogous types of destructive changes in bones of the
Pleistocene mammoths have recently been revealed in the collections from large
localities in northern Asia: Shestakovo, Kochegur, Lugovskoye, Berelekh, Gari, the
Krasnoyarsk Kurya and others. These changes seem to be connected with the
drastic abiotic habitat changes of the large mammals throughout the whole
continent at the end of Pleistocene from 25 to 10 thousands years ago. Hence, the
geochemical theory of the extinction of the mammoth fauna proposed by S.V.
Leshchinskiy in 1998-2001 has been excellently supported by the materials from the
Krakow Spadzista Street Site.
The investigation has been supported by the Grant of the President of Russian
Federation (MK-3291.2004.5) and by the Innovational Educational Program of
Tomsk State University (2006-2007), and grant Ministry of Science and Higher
Education 2 P04C 081 30 for years 2006-2009.
Perforations in archaeological Neolithic cattle skulls: a new
methodological approximation for their study and explanation
Elisabeth LLADO1, Lluís GAITERO2, Martí PUMAROLA2, Maria SAÑA1
1Laboratori d’Arqueozoologia, Departament de Prehistòria
2Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès),
Barcelona SPAIN
Abstract. In this presentation we describe and discuss new data obtained
from the study of the perforations of four cattle skulls recovered from the early
Neolithic site of “la Draga” (north-east Iberian peninsula), dated around 5300-5100
cal BC. All the perforations are located in the posterior region of cattle skull, behind
the frontal and nuchal eminences, and consist of rounded holes, elliptical in shape
and of various sizes. The observed frequency of occurrence is also variable, with only
one cattle skull showing multiple perforations. The rounded margins are indicative
of the condition being present during the life of the animal. A detailed examination
of these specimens was carried out using computed tomography (CT). This
technique provides particularly good bone tissue detail to evaluate this material,
generating cross-sectional images and three-dimensional reconstructions. The CT
study allowed the assessment of normal anatomy and bone tissue status around the
previously identified perforations to suggest the presumptive diagnosis. We discuss
the available archaeological evidence and the hypothetical explanations concerning
the possible causes of the phenomenon (genetic or congenital origin, parasites,
tumours, infections, external physical influences due to the wearing of yokes during
ploughing) according to the status of the animals (wild and domestic), evaluating
their likelihood in light of this new evidence.
Bone pathologies and morphological abnormalities of modern and
prehistoric seals in the Baltic Sea
Lembi LÕUGAS1, Jan STORÅ2,
1Department
of Archaeobiology and Ancient Technology, the Institute of History,
Tallinn University, Rüütli 6, EE10130 Tallinn, Estonia
2Osteoarchaeological Research Laboratory, Department of Archaeology and
Classical Studies. 10691 Stockholm University, Sweden
Abstract. The diagnosis of bone diseases and abnormalities is a difficult
matter. It is known, that the pollution of the Baltic Sea has caused many diseases
among the seal populations, many of which have affected the skeleton. However,
different kinds of lesions have been found not only in recent skeletal material, but
also in archaeological bone finds. Most commonly pathologies are noticed in the jaw
bones of seals; other skeletal parts usually exhibit abnormalities caused by injury
and less probably by metabolic disorders. This study gives an overview of the bone
pathologies and abonormalities found from the archaeological seal bones around the
Baltic Sea, and a comparision with recent pathological skeletons of seals.
Carious lesions on teeth of reindeer
(Rangifer tarandus) - an indicator of domestication?
Ola MAGNELL, Historical Osteology, Department of Archaeology and Ancient
History Lund University, Sweden
Abstract. Caries have been identified on two mandibles of reindeer from
Kjerringneset, a 14th-17th century Saami settlement from Övre Pasvik in NorthEastern Norway. The carious lesions occur on the buccal side of the molariform
teeth (P4, M1, M2, M3) and are mainly found at the enamel-dentine junction. Caries
is very rare in wild ungulates and are more common among domesticated animals.
This may indicate that the mandibles are from domesticated reindeer. Maybe
draught animals that have been living close with humans and have had an altered
diet resulting in caries. The small size of the mandibles further indicates that they
originate from domesticated reindeer.
The chronology of tooth development in wild boar
-a guide for age determination of linear enamel
hypoplasia in pigs
Ola MAGNELL1, Richard CARTER2,
1Historical Osteology, Department of Archaeology and Ancient History Lund
University, Sweden
2Convenor of Field Geology, Archaeology Tutor Room EH133, CCE, Sussex
Institute University of Sussex Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9QQ, UK
Abstract. A schema of tooth development in wild boar has been made to be
used for determination of the chronology of linear enamel hypoplasia in
archaeological pigs. Models for the schema were derived from diagrams of tooth
chronology in humans. The tooth development has been determined based on
radiographs of 114 mandibles. By using a fairly large sample of wild boar and crossbreeds between wild and domestic pigs a more suitable reference for tooth
development in prehistoric pigs can be used instead of sources of tooth development
in modern improved pig breeds. The aims have been to make a more detailed and
user friendly schema that can be the used as a guide to determine the chronology of
linear enamel hypoplasia in archaeological pigs.
Palaeopathological peculiarities of the skeleton of Roman period dogs
from Poland
Daniel MAKOWIECKI1, Linas DAUGNORA2,
1Laboratory for Natural Environment Reconstruction, Institute of Archaeology,
Nicolaus Copernicus University, Szosa Bydgoska 44/48, PL 87-100 Toruń.
Poland
2Osteological Laboratory, Lithuanian Veterinary Academy, Department of
Anatomy and Physiology, Tilžės 18, LT- 4781, Kaunas , Lithuania
Abstract. Dog skeletons were discovered at seven archaeological sites on the
Polish Lowland. The deposits belong to prehistoric- and Roman periods.
Analysis of skulls showed periodontal disease, trauma (fractures), asymmetry
of crista sagitalis externa/sutura interfrontalis, dental caries, infections and
anomalies of eruption, resorption and abrasions. There were also cases of the
polyodontia, abscess, ante-mortem tooth loss, osteoperiostitis and mandibular
osteomyelitis.
Pathologies of the postcranial skeleton were noted on all individuals in
different parts of the axial skeleton. On the vertebral column we revealed traumatic
fractures and/or impingement or overlap of the dorsal spinous processes in the
thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. This abnormality was found in Th 4,5,6,7,12,13 of all
specimens. Impingement was localised to the dorsal half of the cervical (C 5-7),
thoracic and lumbar (Th4,5,6, L1,2,3,4), and sacral (Sc+Ca1) dorsal spinous processes
(proc. spinosus vertebrae) and the ventral part of the body of the vertebrae (corpus
vertebrae, osteophytes). Degenerative changes of the columna vertebralis included
lipping of the articular surface, osteophytes, periarticular erosions, intra-articular
erosions and ankylosis.
Macroscopic analysis of leg bones revealed traumatic fractures of the radius
and tibia, metacarpal and metatarsal bones; ossification of ligaments of sacroiliac
joint (desmoiditis ossificans ligamentum sacroiliacum ventrale et dorsale), affecting
the stifle and distal tibiofibular (articulatio tibiofibularis distalis) joints.
Pathological bones from the archaeozoological
material of Estonian towns
Liina MALDRE, Department of Archaeobiology and Ancient Technology, the
Institute of History, Tallinn University, Rüütli 6, EE10130 Tallinn, Estonia
Abstract. The aim of this paper is to give a survey of the developmental
anomalies of teeth and of bone pathologies from medieval domestic animals in
Estonia. The work is compiled on the basis of the material collected during the
excavations in Pärnu, Tartu and Tallinn.
The most numerous pathologies are the anomalies of teeth. Both oligodontia
and polyodontia are represented in the investigated material. Oligodontia was very
frequent in the material from Pärnu. In 33% of the pigs’ lower jaws the first
premolars were missing. Oligodontia also occurs in cattle from Pärnu. In 14 cases
(14.3%) the P2 was missing in lower jaws, while in 9 cases (9.3%) the aboral section
of the M3 was reduced. In the material from Tallinn, from the suburb Kivisilla,
oligodontia also frequently occurs in cattle; in 11.1% of investigated cattle’s lower
jaws P2 was missing. Oligodontia can also be observed in goats’ or sheep’s lower
jaws. In bovid’s upper jaws oligodontia was rare and all the finds (cattle only) come
from Pärnu. Cases of polyodontia were also very rare. In the material from Toompea,
Tallinn, a dog skull was found with two first premolars.
To greater or lesser extent, all these collections contain bones, deformed as the
result of fracture and by the inflammations of a joint. These damages were most
frequent in the materials from Pärnu and from Tallinn Toompea. Investigated
material shows, that bone pathology was relatively rare in the medieval domestic
animals from Tartu.
Mammalian bone microstructure and some
pathological conditions
Monika MARTINIAKOVÁ1, Radoslav OMELKA2,
Birgit GROSSKOPF3, Maria VONDRÁKOVÁ1,
Maria BAUEROVÁ2
1Department of Zoology and Anthropology, 2Department of Botany and Genetics,
Constantine the Philosopher University, Nitra, Slovakia
3Institute of Zoology and Anthropology, Georg-August University, Göttingen,
Germany
Abstract. Various differences exist in the rate of development of bone and the
resulting histology in mammals. In our study a detailed analysis of compact bone
microstructure in selected mammalian species (human, pig, cow, sheep, rabbit and
rat) with a focus on finding an adequate identification key is reported.
We found that every species differed qualitatively from each of the others
either in the microstructure of bone tissue or in the combination of different
elements of the microstructure. With the quantitative differences, our classification
functions used for femoral fragments gave a cross validated correct classification
rate for 76.17% of cases. The accuracy of identification was: 100% for human;
78.54% for cow; 42.67% for pig; 57.33% for sheep; and 86.47% for rabbit.
A number of pathological conditions which produce changes in bone tissue
and affect the skeletons of both humans and animals were also characterized. We
focused our attention mainly on medieval human and sheep femora affected by
osteoporosis. Some changes primarily in quantitative histological characteristics
were found in the bones examined.
In conclusion, the value of microscopic methods is shown to enable
identification of various species of mammals, which could be of a great importance
in forensic analyses, especially in cases when only small bone fragments are
available, and also in distinguishing bones affected by pathological process from
those affected by diagenesis (pseudopathology).
Acknowledgment: This study has been supported by the grant CGA: Study of
morphological changes in skeletal microstructure of various mammalian species.
A possible case of pathology in femora of
genetically modified rabbits
Monika MARTINIAKOVÁ1, Radoslav OMELKA2,
Birgit GROSSKOPF3, Vladimir PARKANYI4,
Maria BAUEROVÁ2, Peter CHRENEK1,4
1Department of Zoology and Anthropology, 2Department of Botany and Genetics,
Constantine the Philosopher University, Nitra, Slovakia
3Institute of Zoology and Anthropology, Georg-August University, Göttingen,
Germany
4Slovak Agricultural Research Centre, Nitra, Slovakia
Abstract. Transgenic (genetically modified) rabbits represent an alternative
way to produce biologically active proteins. However, several problems are
encountered with their production, including transgene integration, stability and
expression. The results of our study indicate transgenic technology can also produce
possible (pathological?) changes in bone microstructure.
We identified a new type of the bone tissue – fibrolamellar - in juvenile
transgenic rabbits with WAP-hFVIII gene construct. This type of the tissue has not
been observed in non-transgenic rabbits even in any ontogenetic stages. We also
found measured variables of the Haversian canals were higher in transgenic rabbits
(P<0.01). On the contrary, non-transgenic individuals disposed higher values of
some variables of primary osteons’ vascular canals as well as those of secondary
osteons (P<0.01). In an effort to explain these differences we compared the
cytogenetic profile of bone marrow cells between transgenic and non-transgenic
rabbits. A significantly higher rate of aneuploidy was obtained in transgenic
individuals than in non-transgenic ones (P<0.001). Finally, concentrations of Ca, P,
K, Mn, bone ash and solids were lower (non-significantly) in femora of transgenic
rabbits. This suggests that process of mineralization might be reduced in these
individuals.
In conclusion, changes of femoral bone tissue in juvenile transgenic versus
non-transgenic rabbits were identified. Evident changes (pathological?) result in
better blood supply, increased bone modeling and reduced mineralization process.
Acknowledgment: This study has been supported by the grant of applied
research: Analysis of morphologic and cytogenetic changes in rabbit’s tissues owing
to risk elements of environment and transgenesis.
The case of cattle (Bos taurus) intertarsal and tarsometatarsal bone
joint anomalies in the middle ages and today.
Arnis MUGURĒVIČS, Ilmans DŪRĪTIS, Latvia University of Agriculture, Latvia
Abstract. While undertaking archaeological excavations in Valmiera castle
(XIV-XV century) animal bone fragments were found. After completing the analysis
of this assemblage it was observed that a number of cattle metatarsal bones were
found fused with separate tarsal bones and that separate tarsal bones were also
found to be fused together. More specifically, the following anomalies were found in
the tarso-metatarsal region of these cattle: on the medial surface of the proximal
end, os tarsale II+III were fused with os tarsi centrale and at the distal end with os
metatarsale III; on the dorsal surface at the proximal end os tarsale II+III were fused
with os tarsi centrale and at the distal end with os metatarsale III; the os
centroquartale was fused with os metatarsale IV; the lateral surface of
os
centroquartale was fused with os metatarsale IV; and on the ligament attachments of
the os metatarsale IV developed osteophytes were present.
The same types of pathological occurrences have also been found in the bones
of contemporary cattle. Cows that displayed such unusual traits were the those
that were kept stationary during winter periods. Due to the presence of very similar
pathological developments in the two populations of cattle it can be concluded that
such changes took place because keeping conditions in the Middle Ages were similar
to those today.
Sidebones in horses
Algis NOREIKA1, Petras MAČIULSKIS2,
Linas DAUGNORA3
1Department of Non-Infections Diseases, Lithuanian Veterinary Academy, Tilžės
street 18, LT-47181, Kaunas
2Department of Infections Diseases, Lithuanian Veterinary Academy, Tilžės
street 18, LT-47181, Kaunas
3Osteological laboratory, Lithuanian Veterinary Academy, Tilžės street 18, LT47181, Kaunas
Abstract. Ossification of the collateral cartilages of the distal phalanx
(thereafter – sidebones) is a common problem in all breeds and types of horses.
Unilateral or bilateral sidebones (commonly forelimbs involved) is an irreversible
process which causes lameness and deformation of the hoof. The samples from
archeological excavations in Lithuania and other countries showed that sidebones
might have common causes. Examination of samples revealed that ossification of
lateral cartilages begins at the attachment of the cartilage to the wing of the distal
phalanx. Excessive solear horn wearing occurs in unshod hoof. Abnormal stance
could have a deleterious effect on hoof mechanics and this could cause of sidebones
in horses in ancient times. Poor treatment and poor trimming and shoeing of hoof
are the main causes of sidebones in present day horses. Sidebones could be a partly
hereditary problem in some horse breeds.
Palaeopathology survey of livestock mammals
in Israel
Lidar SAPIR-HEN1, Noa RABAN-GERSTEL2,
Guy BAR-OZ2, Tamar DAYAN1
1Department of Zoology, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
2Laboratory of Archaeozoology, Zinman Institute of Archaeology, University of
Haifa, Haifa 31905, Israel
Abstract. We report several pathologies found on post-cranial and cranial
bones of livestock mammals from nine archaeological sites from Israel. The
chronology of the sites spans from the Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Age, through the
Hellenistic, to the late Medieval and Ottoman Ages. The majority of the pathologies
were observed on cattle and sheep and goat bone fragments, most of which are food
debris remains. Most of the pathological specimens were discovered while analyzing
animal bones from salvage excavations conducted by the Israel Antiquity Authority
in the Laboratory of Archaeozoology, University of Haifa. The pathological specimens
were identified and evaluated macroscopically, based on morphological changes and
abnormality of the bones. Our aim is to present these skeletal pathological
alterations and to discuss their implications. Of the thirty-seven pathologies
identified, seventeen are of Caprines (0vis aries and Capra hircus ), eight of pig (Sus
scrofa), four of cattle (Bos taurus), and one of equid (Equus sp.). In addition, three
pathologies are of gazelle (Gazella gazella), two of birds and two of predators. Among
the finds that we report are exostosis of long bones (broadening of the articular
surface), arthritic alterations, and developmental anomalies of bones.
Palaeopathology on horse remains from
Malbork Castle: an indicator of heavy armour use?
Krish SEETAH, Grahame Clark Laboratory, Dept. of Archaeology, Downing St.,
Cambridge CB2 3DZ
The faunal assemblage recovered from Malbork Castle, located within the
Pomeranian region of northern Poland, was predominated by pathological indictors
concurrent with the use of domestic livestock as draught animals. However, two
partial horse spines displayed evidence for severe exostosis of the thoracic and
lumbar vertebrae. A number of explanations have been proposed of which the one I
will focus rests on the use of the horse in a military context as heavy cavalry. This
will be combined with historic evidence for transitions in armour design and
improvements in morphology of the Central European war horse.
Although I stress caution in using a fragmentary and highly restricted data
set; the research and perspectives presented herein are done so to instigate
discussion and potentially form a foundation for future excavations of castle sites in
the Baltic region. The prevalence of this condition at the site is impossible to
estimate on the basis of two horse spines. It will be interesting to compare these
data with other horse remains recovered from Teutonic Order castle and farm sites
as well as battlefields where more complete specimens may be available.
Recent discoveries of pathologies among artiodactyls and
perissodactyls relevant to zooarchaeology
Torstein SJÖVOLD1, Anne Karin HUFTHAMMER2,
1Stockhom University, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
2Bergen Museum, Natural History, Museplass 3, N-5007, Bergen, Norway
Abstract. In artiodactyls and perissodactyls the interior of the costal cartilages
ossify, forming a spongy, osseous tissue. Recently, it has been discovered that such
ossifications frequently display more or less visible lines perpendicular to the
curvature of the ossification. Such lines are not rare, and often several lines
occurring along the same costal cartilage are observed. Macerated ossified costal
cartilages often, but not always, split in short, bony stabs with straight, cut-off ends,
sometimes retaining organic matter encircled within a bony periphery. In
archaeological materials such bony stabs are occasionally observed, and are just
denoted "costal cartilages" if recognized. The cause of these structures is not clear in
general. Some may be regarded as transverse splits of the ossifications along a
weakness zone, but in other cases the cause is obviously a fracture with more or
less extensive callus formation. The straight surfaces are typical and can not be
confused with secondary fractures, occurring after deposition or maceration,
because the straight ends display a thin layer of compact tissue, and a secondary
fracture is irregular and displays the spongy tissue. Thus, they may be considered
as healed micro- or macrofractures, where fusion of the fractured ends may occur
along the periphery of the ossification. In other cases, however, healing may involve
dislocation prior to the healing process, extensive callus formation, lipping or
formation of pseudoarthroses. How such an injury affects the animal is not generally
known; however, in the cases of dislocation and extensive bony reaction to the
fracture, it is highly probable that the animal has been affected by the injury. As the
pathology does not appear to have been reported in the veterinary literature, its
occurrence in the horse and different wild and domestic artiodactyls is
demonstrated, as well as in a few zooarchaeological cases.
SKELETAL LESIONS IN THE SACROILIAC JOINT IN SEALS – A
METHOD FOR SEX ESTIMATION (?)
Jan STORÅ, Osteoarchaeological Research Laboratory
Dept. of Archaeology and Classical Studies
Stockholm University, SE 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
Abstract. During studies of modern seal skeletons at the Natural History
Museum in Stockholm a recurrent skeletal lesion was observed in several
individuals of different species. The lesion reported on here was observed in the
sacroiliac joint. A preliminary examination showed that the lesion (almost
exclusively) occurred in female seals and some level of progression in the extent of
the lesion was correlated with age. The lesion most often occurs bi-laterally although
some level of difference in the development between the left and right joints may be
observed. The lesion has been observed in ringed seal (Phoca hispida), grey seal
(Halichoerus grypus), harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) and harp seal (Phoca
groenlandica).
The most characteristic lesions are observed in female seals while male seals,
even in advanced ages not exhibit the same level of lesions. Characteristic features
of the lesion are extra bone growth and remodelling of the joint surface on both the
Ilium and the Sacrum. Most probably the lesions observed in the sacroiliac joints
are associated with parturition and thus the lesions may be considered as
parturition scars. The morphological characteristics of the pelvic bone as well as
consideration of the size of the litters in seals may partly explain why this lesion
occurs among these (female) animals.
The observation of the parturition scars opens up a possibility for
morphological sexing of pelvic bones (and sacrum) from seals in archaeological
skeletal assemblages as well as sub-fossil finds. In subfossil finds the presence of
the baculum bone is a good indicator of male sex but the absence of the bone is
unreliable as an indicator of female sex. Examination of the sacroiliac joint may
prove helpful in cases were the baculum bone is missing. Information on the sex
distribution is valuable when investigating hunting patterns for seals especially
regarding the sex distribution of the prey animals.
The paper will present guidelines for the classification of the lesions in the
sacroiliac joint in modern seal skeletons and present a first case study of two
Neolithic Stone Age assemblages on the Åland Islands and the Island of Gotland.
A recording system for exostoses in cattle calcanei and in spavin in
cattle and horses. An evaluation of first results
Ylva TELLDAHL, Osteoarchaeological Research Laboratory
Department of Archaeology and Classical Studies, Stockholm University,
Sweden
Abstract.One of the aims of the project, “On the Osteological identification of
draught animals. Paleopathology and Past Animal Husbandry Practices”, is to record
pathologies with a focus on archaeological and modern cattle calcaneus and the
development of exostoses along the sulcus of the Hallucis longi muscle as well as
spavin in cattle and horses.
During the last fifteen years more interest has been focused on the
identification and classification of skeletal lesions associated to specific animal
utilization. As a consequence, new methods have been developed for grading
pathologies. When studying bones from cattle and horses possibly used for work we
also deal with how skeleton and muscles react when subject to stress. How much
force the skeleton withstands before reacting with new bone formation is a question
that researchers at present are struggling with. In cattle most of the bodyweight is
carried by the forelimb while the animal strength is focused on the hindlimbs.
Frequencies of pathologies would therefore probably be somewhat different in bone
elements of forelimbs and hindlimbs.
Spavin is found on tarsals and metatarsals bones in different stages from both
cattle and horse. Research on modern horses has shown a correlation between
spavin and tarsal angle, age and workload.
The first results of this study indicate that spavin is present amongst both
cattle and horse bones from the Iron Age settlements of the Skedemosse Area and
Viking Age and Middle Age Castle Eketorp, Öland Sweden.
“The Righteous Man … is Merciful to his Beast”: using
palaeopathological evidence to assess the welfare of traction animals
in medieval England.
Richard THOMAS, School of Archaeology and Ancient History, University of
Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
Abstract. Early veterinary care relied on a combination of astrological and
Galenic beliefs. While astrological movements (deriving from Babylonian and then
Greek and Roman thought) were thought to cause disease (through divine action),
Galenic principals were used to provide a cure. However, much of medieval animal
care was about prevention rather than cure. Such preventative measures included
not over-working animals and, as Curth (2002, 380) notes, “popular husbandry
books constantly warned that overwork would directly result in ‘pestilence’” and that
animals needed a place to rest to repair the ‘decay’ “that resulted from hard labour”.
But to what to extent were the recommendations of these husbandry manuals
represent practiced?
To explore this issue, an analysis of the pathological alterations of cattle bones
from a medieval site in central England – Dudley Castle, West Midlands – has been
conducted using the methods of Bartosiewicz et al. (1997). Previous
zooarchaeological analysis of the faunal remains from this site has suggested that
older traction animals formed a larger proportion of the cattle consumed there
(Thomas 2005). The application of the Bartosiewicz et al. (1997) method provides the
opportunity to not only independently assess this claim, but also to chart the
changing health of cattle between the eleventh and eighteenth centuries. In addition
to exploring welfare attitudes to cattle, this study attempts to use faunal remains to
detect the documented later medieval shift from cattle to horses as traction animals.
Bartosiewicz, L., Van Neer, W. and Lentacker, A. 1997. Draught Cattle: their
Osteological Identification and History. Koninklijk Museum voor Midden-Afrika,
Annalen Zoölogische Wetenschappen 281.
Curth, L. H. 2002. The care of brute beast: animals and the seventeenthcentury medical market-place. Social History of Medicine 15 (3): 375-392.
Thomas, R. 2005. Animals, Economy and Status: The Integration of
Zooarchaeological and Historical Evidence in the Study of Dudley Castle, West
Midlands (c.1100-1750). BAR British Series 392. Archaeopress, Oxford.
Interpreting animal palaeopathology –
an opportunity missed?
Richard THOMAS, School of Archaeology and Ancient History, University of
Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
Abstract. While the development of secure methods to aid the accurate
description, analysis, and diagnosis of pathological lesions are of unquestionable
importance, these cannot provide answers to archaeological questions on their own explanatory frameworks are also required. However, animal palaeopathological
research has seen very little theoretical development. Indeed, many previous
analyses of palaeopathological data have been criticised as being too focussed on
‘interesting specimens’ and the diagnosis of particular conditions, rather than
considering how animal palaeopathology might be used to address questions of
wider archaeological and veterinary significance (Thomas and Mainland 2005).
This paper seeks to explore the diversity of interpretations that can be drawn
from palaeopathological data and encourage more explicit debate and discussion
regarding explanatory frameworks within the discipline. In particular, this paper
seeks to encourage the interpretation of palaeopathological data beyond the
functional and economic to which it has been previously limited, to also explore
issues more in line with the post-processual paradigm, such as attitudes to animals
and animal health.
Thomas, R. and Mainland, I. 2005. Introduction: animal diet and health –
current perspectives and future directions, pp. 1-7, in Davies, J., Fabiš, M.,
Mainland, I., Richards, M. and Thomas, R. (eds.), Diet And Health in Past Animal
Populations: Current Research and Future Directions. Oxbow, Oxford.
Recording animal palaeopathology:
a new methodology
Stephanie VANN, School of Archaeology and Ancient History, University of
Leicester, University Road, Leicester, UK
Abstract: The impact of animal disease on human societies has been highly
publicised recently, both as a consequence of diseases that have spread amongst
animal populations (e.g. foot and mouth), as well as those that have ‘jumped’ from
animal to human populations (e.g. HIV, bird flu and BSE). Non-disease-related
pathologies can also provide much information about human-animal interactions,
for example bony responses due to traction or riding. While the human, social and
economic effect of such conditions is profound, the study of their impact on past
human populations has been widely neglected. This is partly due to the inconsistent
manner in which incidences of animal disease (palaeopathology) have been collected,
recorded and interpreted which, together with the typically low incidence of
specimens per site, has precluded any detailed studies of regional or temporal
trends. In this paper I will present the details of a new general recording
methodology which seeks to overcome these problems and enable the past impact of
animal disease to be better understood.
TB or not TB? That is the question!
Manifestation, identification and diagnosis of
tuberculosis in faunal remains from
archaeological contexts
Jeanette WOODING, Archaeological Sciences and Biological Anthropology
Research Centre (BARC)
Division of Archaeological, Geographical and Environmental Sciences (AGES),
University of Bradford, UK
Abstract. This postgraduate research project brings together archaeozoology
and human osteology/palaeopathology to the study of bovine tuberculosis - a
disease known to affect both animals and humans. Rural settlement sites within
Iron Age Britain and the Viking Age/Norse Settlement Period in the Northern Isles
and Iceland form the primary geographic focus of this study.
The domestication of animals and the sedentary lifestyle that accompanied it
were the primary catalysts behind the establishment of tuberculosis in early human
populations. Tuberculosis has often been described as an urban disease in reference
to more recent archaeological populations and is currently referred to as a disease of
poverty in the present day. However, its origins may be considered to have been
rural and in order to learn more about this disease and how it affected earlier
archaeological populations, it is essential that research focuses upon rural
agricultural settlements and smaller communities. The key research themes,
therefore, include the spread and introduction of disease through the
migration/immigration of rural populations across the North Atlantic Region and
the incidence/frequency of tuberculosis (both in human and animal remains) within
smaller rural communities.
Within these research themes, the primary aim is to produce criteria for the
identification of tuberculous lesions in faunal material (specifically cattle, sheep and
pig bone). The ability to recognise and record the manifestation and aetiology of
tuberculosis in faunal material will provide a better understanding of disease
prevalence and its impact on past society. A multidisciplinary approach integrating
both macroscopic and microscopic analytical techniques will be employed.
NOTE
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