Objectives
Enthesophytes on sheep elbow joints are commonly reported in archaeological material. Although these lesions are often described as ‘penning elbow’, little is known of their aetiology. In this study, a new method for recording these lesions is presented, and the effect of age, sex and body size is explored to understand their potential for informing upon past human-animal interactions.
Materials
1133 distal humerii and proximal radii from 16 archaeological sites.
Methods
The presence and severity of enthesophytes were recorded and findings compared with modern data from a group of 17 complete Soay sheep skeletons.
Results
Significant, positive correlations between age and body size and the presence of enthesophytes were demonstrated. Environmental factors and trauma may also play a role in their formation.
Conclusion
The aetiology of enthesophytes on sheep elbows is complex and varied, affected by age, body size and environment.
Significance
This is the first study of enthesophytes on sheep elbows to combine archaeological data with modern animals of known age and sex. Blanket explanations of husbandry methods for the cause of these lesions are dispelled, and use of the term ‘penning elbow’ is redundant.
Limitations
The sample of modern specimens is relatively small and would benefit from the inclusion of older individuals and those raised in different environments.
Future research
The method developed here can be adopted in future studies.
Interpretations should take age, size and environmental factors into consideration, and only when these variables are established can the role of husbandry be evaluated.
Funding
The FeedSax project is supported by the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement no. 741751
History
Author affiliation
College of Social Sci Arts and Humanities/Archaeology & Ancient History