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.