Vet Med - Czech, 2010, 55(7):331-335 | DOI: 10.17221/2928-VETMED

The pathological changes in the hind limb of a horse from the Roman Period

M. Janeczek1, A. Chroszcz1, Z. Miklikova2, M. Fabis3
1 Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
2 Institute of Archaeology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Nitra, Slovakia
3 Private Veterinary Surgeon, Nitra, Slovakia

During the archaeological excavation of a multicultural settlement at the Nitra-Chrenova site (south-western Slovakia) an assemblage of animal bone remains was revealed. In one of the settlement features dated to the Roman period a complete horse skeleton was discovered. An investigation was carried out in the hind limb of the horse's skeleton involving macroscopic and radiographic analysis. Exostoses were observed on the tibia, talus, calcaneus, tarsal and metatarsal bones. The articular surfaces were destroyed. The anatomical structure of the talus, calcaneus and tarsal bones was not visible due to new bone formation. Additionally, osteomyelitis was observed in the talus, calcaneus and tarsal bones. It is suggested that the pathological changes developed during the septic inflammation process as a consequence of the complicated wound of the tarsal region or the tarsal joint perforating trauma.

Keywords: archaeozoology; palaeopathology; horse; Roman Period; septic arthritis

Published: July 31, 2010  Show citation

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Janeczek M, Chroszcz A, Miklikova Z, Fabis M. The pathological changes in the hind limb of a horse from the Roman Period. Vet Med - Czech. 2010;55(7):331-335. doi: 10.17221/2928-VETMED.
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