Work- and age-related changes in an Iron Age horse skeleton from Danebury hillfort, Hampshire

Abstract

Pathological changes and other alterations in an Iron Age horse skeleton from Danebury, Hampshire, England are described and used to interpret the possible use of the animal. The low level of pathology present in what is a relatively old animal (c.16-18 years of age at death) suggests that the horse was not heavily used, perhaps employed to pull a light cart or chariot or occasional riding. The presence of a horizontal fissure in the caudal epiphysis of the thoracic vertebra 14 may indicate that it was used for riding, possibly with either a pad saddle or bareback.