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Lesions in sheep elbows: Insights from a large-scale study
Matilda Holmes1, Richard Thomas1, Helena Hamerow2
1School of Archaeology and Ancient History, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom.
International Journal of Paleopathology
|June 19, 2021
Summary
Enthesophytes on sheep elbows are linked to age, body size, and environment, not just husbandry. This study challenges the
Area of Science:
- Archaeological science
- Paleopathology
- Animal science
Background:
- Enthesophytes on sheep elbow joints are frequently found in archaeological contexts.
- Their exact cause, often attributed to 'penning elbow' (husbandry practices), remains poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the aetiology of enthesophytes on sheep elbows.
- To develop a new method for recording these lesions.
- To explore the influence of age, sex, and body size on enthesophyte formation to understand human-animal interactions.
Main Methods:
- A novel recording method was applied to 1133 distal humerii and proximal radii from 16 archaeological sites.
- Findings were compared with modern data from 17 Soay sheep skeletons of known age and sex.
Main Results:
- Significant positive correlations were found between age, body size, and the presence/severity of enthesophytes.
- Environmental factors and trauma were also identified as potential contributors to lesion formation.
Conclusions:
- The aetiology of sheep elbow enthesophytes is multifactorial, influenced by age, body size, and environmental conditions.
- The term 'penning elbow' is considered redundant, as husbandry alone does not explain the lesions.
