Bronze age horsemen: An evaluation of pathological and nonpathological changes for indicators of “horsemanship syndrome” of the Strzyżów culture population, Poland, 2000–1600 BC

Abstract

Numerous pathological and nonpathological changes examined on human bones are classified and related to various types of physical activities practiced during life. Some activities in ancient populations can be reconstructed based on studies of specific patterns and types of skeletal changes. Recently, particular attention has been paid to evaluate diagnostic traits that are commonly interpreted as “horsemanship syndrome.” In the present study, as of the time of writing, 100 skeletons from 23 archaeological sites of the Strzyżów culture in south-eastern Poland have been cataloged and analyzed. Preliminary analysis showed that 31 individuals were of subadult age and 46 adult skeletons were poorly preserved. In further research, authors focused on pathological and nonpathological changes in bone morphology associated with horseback riding among the remaining 23 adult individuals. Diagnostic traits including pelvic and lower limbs entheses, acetabular shape (vertical ovalisation), femoroacetabular morphological changes, subtrochanteric shape (platymeria), and specific vertebral degeneration and specific trauma lesions were analyzed related to biomechanical stress from frequent horseback riding. An evaluation gave results with high level of diagnostic certainty for four individuals and included two males, one female, and one individual whose sex could not be clearly determined due to the fragmented and incomplete preservation of the skull and pelvis. Lower probability was received in the next three cases included one male, one female, and one probably female. This study revealed that a proportion of the Strzyżów culture population developed skeletal changes compatible with riding horses.