Paleopathological and radiological examination of the Auar period horse bones from central Balkans (Serbia)

Abstract

During archaeological excavations in September 2009, on the late antiquity necropolis near Obrenovac (Serbia) a horseman's grave, with horse included, was discovered and assigned to the Avar period (the 8th century AD). Horse bones were subjected to pathomorphological and radiological investigations. In order to obtain information concerning equine pathology during Avar domination, 29 bones with changes observed, i.e. in the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, metacarpal and metatarsal bones and proximal and distal phalanges limbs have been evaluated. Pathomorphology revealed chronic deformative spondyloarthropathy of the spine and ossification of the interosseous ligament both in the metacarpus and in metatarsus, while chronic periostitis was observed in the proximal phalanges, as well as ungular cartilage ossification in all distal phalanges. Based on the pathological findings on the horse's bones, it was concluded that the animal was intensively used for riding and/or as a draught animal during its lifetime, even prior to the completion of its full growth. The pathology revealed on the limb bones indicated long-lasting exposure to the trauma, suggesting that the horse had been probably ridden for long distances on hard, rocky and uneven terrain. It was also concluded that there had been a strong possibility that the mentioned Avar horse had shown symptoms of locomotor disorders due to back pain.