Bone pathologies of modern non-draft cattle (Bos Taurus) in the context of grazing systems and environmental influences in the South Urals, Russia.

OBJECTIVE

To assesses the patterns of age-related changes and bone pathologies in modern non-draft cattle to assist archaezooological analysis of draft cattle remains from antiquity.

MATERIALS: The study area is located in the steppe zone of the Southern Urals on the territory of Russia near the border with Kazakhstan.

METHODS

Over 300 bones of modern cattle were examined, mostly metapodials and phalanges, using standard archaeozoological methods to reconstruct the size of animals and to describe observed pathological conditions

RESULTS

Minor lipping and exostoses of metapodials and phalanges, as well as ankylosis and hip joint eburnation, are common in modern non-draft cattle. In rare cases, lipping and exostoses are observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The observed changes in the bones of the distal extremities alone are insufficient for archaezooological reconstruction of cattle as draft animals.

SIGNIFICANCE: The study revealed problems in the reconstruction of etiologies of pathological conditions in draft cattle from archaeological sites.

LIMITATIONS: Limited samples sizes and genetic differences between modern and archaeological populations can influence data recorded and derived conclusions.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS: Continued analyses of modern and archaeological faunal populations using multiple lines of evidence is encouraged.