Pathologies of a horse skeleton from the early medieval stronghold in Gdańsk (Poland)

Abstract

AbstractThe study presents an analysis of a horse skeleton discovered in the timber and earth frame of the rampart surrounding the ducal stronghold in Gdańsk. The body of the animal was deposited sometime from the beginning of the 11th to the mid‐12th century. The male horse was aged 8–9 years old and had an estimated withers height of 128 cm (12.6 hands). The dentition and lesions on the skull suggest that the horse was used for riding. Two types of skeletal injuries are visible—the first resulted from the use of the horse and is visible on the skull, teeth, vertebrae, and limb bones. Such bone lesions are described in modern literature on equine medicine; therefore, their aetiology and clinical manifestation are described. The second group of injuries are lesions located in topographically distant areas: the skull, thoracic vertebrae, ribs, and limb bones. Their common feature is a proliferative periosteal reaction. Their aetiology cannot be definitely stated on the basis of the available material. They may be considered an effect of mechanical load‐bearing resulting from the excessive use of the horse but also may reflect a generalized infection.