engleski

Skeleton changes induced by horse riding on eight medieval skeleton remains – Kamen most - Kaldrma (Croatia)

Horse role in history was changing through years, so did characteristics of each horse breed and horse riding equipment too. It contributed to development of morphological changes in horse riders’ skeleton, especially if person was riding since childhood. The most affected bones in human body are pelvic and femora. The aim of this research was to confirm with results of anthropological and DNA analysis that eight persons from Kamen Most were horse riders and that ten femora from Dominican’s graveyard belonged to horse riders. In collaboration of Clinical Institute for Pathology, Forensic Medicine and Cytology in Clinical Hospital Centre Split and two museums: Museum of Croatian Archaeological Monuments in Split and Museum of City Split, location Kamen most-Kaldrma from 14th century and Dominican’s graveyard from St Katarina’s monastery in Split, from 16th to 19th century, were explored during 2008. and 2010. Anthropological analysis of osteologycal material was performed by two independent anthropological teams in Clinical Institute for Forensic Medicine in Clinical Hospital Centre Split. Results were compared afterwards. Sex determination by DNA analysis was done for eight persons from Kamen Most who were suspected to be horse riders. Average age of all eight persons from Kamen Most is estimated at 45.6 years while 70% (7/10) femora from Dominican’s graveyard indicates persons older than 35. Anthropological analysis of osteological material from Kamen Most - Kaldrma determined that all bone fragments, except pelvic bones, of eight persons indicate male gender, that pelvic of all eight persons have characteristics of horse riders and that all preserved femora fragments have male characteristics as well as characteristics of persons who were horse riders. DNA analysis confirmed male gender in seven persons. All ten femora from Dominican’s graveyard have main characteristics of horse riders’ bones. Relatively high percentage of horse riders (22.86%, 8/35) in population Kamen Most and 28.6% (10/35) horse riders’ femora from Dominican’s graveyard indicate frequent horse riding, most probably from childhood when human skeleton is submissive to morphological changes. This populations probably used horses in economy and military purposes, which is also confirmed with archeological findings on tombstones on location Kamen Most - Kaldrma.

late medieval; anthropology analysis; horse riders; changes on femur; changes on pelvis

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