Palaeopathology of findings among archaeofaunal remains of small seminar site in Nitra

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to provide the information on pathologically altered elements of animal skeletons identified in archaeofaunal remains assemblage dated to the Iron Age period and collected during the rescue archaeological excavation in Nitra. In 1993, reconstruction work at Small Seminar uncovered an archaeological feature dating to the LaTène period (Iron Age). In addition to artifacts, animal remains represented by portions and fragments of skeletons were present. The remains were analyzed macroscopically. Only the sheep mandible was also examined using X-rays. Skeletal elements of domesticated animals dominated (98.5%) over the wild species elements (1.5%). Five skeletal elements differed in shape and structure from their morphologic standards. Of the cattle skeletal remains, the affected elements are the phalanx proximalis and femur. Alteration of the phalanx almost certainly resulted from the exploitation of the animal in traction work. The caput femoris shows changes typical for coxarthrosis. One sheep mandible lacks the lower P2, a condition that is called oligodontia. Among the pig remains, we identified the following alterations: 1) Impressio laminae externae ossis frontalis into the sinus frontalis, 2) Abfractio laminae externae maxillae in the position of M1. Both lesions represent traumatic alterations. While the first happened around the time of death of the animal, the second one occurred clearly intra vitam. The article widens the modest animal palaeopathology database, demonstrates a long history of skeletal alterations of animals, and, in the particular cases proves negative impact of humans on animals which were under their exploitation.