Ring depressions in cattle horncores as indicators of traction use - a cautionary note

Richard Thomas; Naomi Sykes; Sean Doherty; David Smith

doi:10.1016/j.ijpp.2018.07.002

Ring depressions in cattle horncores as indicators of traction use - a cautionary note

Richard Thomas^*
, Naomi Sykes
, Sean Doherty
, David Smith

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In this short communication we call attention to the discovery of a ring depression (a circumferential constriction) in the horncore of a feral bull. This discovery casts doubt on the attribution of similar lesions in archaeological deposits as conclusive evidence of 'cord impressions' resulting from yoking or reining cattle for traction. Drawing upon evidence of horncore depressions in other species, we suggest that they reflect metabolic problems following horn development; additional research is required to test this hypothesis.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	140-142
Number of pages	3
Journal	International Journal of Paleopathology
Volume	22
Early online date	07 Aug 2018
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpp.2018.07.002
Publication status	Published - Sept 2018
Externally published	Yes

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title = "Ring depressions in cattle horncores as indicators of traction use - a cautionary note",

abstract = "In this short communication we call attention to the discovery of a ring depression (a circumferential constriction) in the horncore of a feral bull. This discovery casts doubt on the attribution of similar lesions in archaeological deposits as conclusive evidence of 'cord impressions' resulting from yoking or reining cattle for traction. Drawing upon evidence of horncore depressions in other species, we suggest that they reflect metabolic problems following horn development; additional research is required to test this hypothesis.",

author = "Richard Thomas and Naomi Sykes and Sean Doherty and David Smith",

year = "2018",

month = sep,

doi = "10.1016/j.ijpp.2018.07.002",

language = "English",

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pages = "140--142",

journal = "International Journal of Paleopathology",

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AU - Thomas, Richard

AU - Sykes, Naomi

AU - Doherty, Sean

AU - Smith, David

PY - 2018/9

Y1 - 2018/9

N2 - In this short communication we call attention to the discovery of a ring depression (a circumferential constriction) in the horncore of a feral bull. This discovery casts doubt on the attribution of similar lesions in archaeological deposits as conclusive evidence of 'cord impressions' resulting from yoking or reining cattle for traction. Drawing upon evidence of horncore depressions in other species, we suggest that they reflect metabolic problems following horn development; additional research is required to test this hypothesis.

AB - In this short communication we call attention to the discovery of a ring depression (a circumferential constriction) in the horncore of a feral bull. This discovery casts doubt on the attribution of similar lesions in archaeological deposits as conclusive evidence of 'cord impressions' resulting from yoking or reining cattle for traction. Drawing upon evidence of horncore depressions in other species, we suggest that they reflect metabolic problems following horn development; additional research is required to test this hypothesis.

U2 - 10.1016/j.ijpp.2018.07.002

DO - 10.1016/j.ijpp.2018.07.002

M3 - Article

C2 - 30096631

SN - 1879-9817

VL - 22

SP - 140

EP - 142

JO - International Journal of Paleopathology

JF - International Journal of Paleopathology

ER -

Ring depressions in cattle horncores as indicators of traction use - a cautionary note

Abstract

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