What is a rare disease in animal paleopathology?

Bartosiewicz, László

doi:10.1016/j.ijpp.2021.02.001

Cited by 9 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Low frequency of anomalies in wild animals is not surprising considering that natural selection generally prevents the development of severe pathological conditions (Bartosiewicz, 2021). Anomalies are present in red deer, aurochs, wild boar, beaver, and bear remains.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Congenital anomalies in the form of rotation of the premolars are a common development and, in zooarchaeology, rotation of the premolar teeth is taken as an indicator of domestication and shortening of the jaws, noted primarily in pigs and dogs (Bartosiewicz, 2021, p. 18). The periapical abscess in a pig mandible from Bubanj could be connected to nutrition.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Animal diseases in the Central Balkan Eneolithic (ca. 4500–2500 BC)—A diachronic perspective on the site of Bubanj, south‐eastern Serbia

Bulatović

Marković

Krstić

et al. 2021

Intl J of Osteoarchaeology

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This paper aims to present the first evidence of animal diseases from the Central Balkan Eneolithic, a prehistoric period that lasted about 2000 years. The eponymous site of Bubanj in south‐eastern Serbia provided a diachronic perspective on animal pathologies developing during this long time period. We analyzed 71 animal remains showing evidence of pathological changes. All of the remains exhibiting anomalies were subjected to macroscopic analysis, while the specimens with the most prominent alterations also underwent X‐ray and CT imaging. Anomalies were observed mostly in domestic animals. Only in caprines were all of the different types of anomalies present, with dental pathologies being the most frequent. Degenerative bone alterations were noted in around 78% of the domestic cattle specimens, while congenital anomalies were the most common type in domestic pigs. Pathological changes were also noted in dogs, aurochs, red deer, wild boars, beavers, and bears. In most cases, the anomalies were caused by hereditary and environmental factors. Caprine dental pathologies were the result of aging and poor‐quality nutrition. In domestic cattle, besides being caused by environmental factors, the degenerative alterations might also have been work related. The lack of paleopathological data from other Eneolithic sites in the region, and the scarce or non‐existent evidence from the previous (Neolithic) and succeeding (Bronze Age) periods prevented comparative analyses and discussion of the results within wider temporal and spatial frames. Establishing a paleopathological investigation of animal remains with anomalies from the prehistoric Central Balkans should be a standard, in order to provide us with a better understanding of human–animal interactions.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Animal diseases in the Central Balkan Eneolithic (ca. 4500–2500 BC)—A diachronic perspective on the site of Bubanj, south‐eastern Serbia

Bulatović

Marković

Krstić

et al. 2021

Intl J of Osteoarchaeology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…To my mind, domesticates are material culture, shaped by human aspirations, decisions, sometimes mistakes in breeding. Even their morbidity shows cultural impact (Bartosiewicz 2021). However, animals are not passive objects.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%