Potential osteoarchaeological evidence for riding and the military use of horses at Malbork Castle, Poland
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 4637379 |
|---|---|
| Authors | A Pluskowski (0000-0002-4494-7664, University of Reading, corresponding author), K Seetah (0000-0001-8549-4692, Arthur B. McDonald-Canadian Astroparticle Physics Research Institute), Mark Maltby (Bournemouth University) |
| Year | 2010 |
| Volume | 20 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 335-343 |
| Publication date | 2010-05-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Journal of Osteoarchaeology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1047-482X • E-ISSN: 1099-1212 |
| Publisher | Wiley (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1002/oa.1048 |
| OpenAlex | W2070151542 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 22 |
| References cited | 3 |
The paper explores interpretations of two sets of pathological horse vertebrae identified during analyses of animal bones from recent excavations at the castle at Malbork in northern Poland (formerly Marienburg in Prussia). One specimen dates to the 18th century and the other to the medieval period. The castle was initially constructed by the Teutonic Order from the late 13th century and occupied by military institutions into the 19th century, and is one of the largest fortified structures in Europe. The pathological vertebrae are attributed to prolonged load-bearing. The problematic interpretation of the remains from the medieval context as belonging to a warhorse is discussed. Warhorses are widely described in contemporary documentary sources which indicate that mares were typically kept in farms on the Order's estates in late-medieval Prussia, while studs were separately stabled at castles. There is not enough data to confirm the medieval specimen as a warhorse, and both vertebrae may simply represent riding animals. Copyright (c) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Ancient history · Archaeology · Documentary evidence · Excavation · Animal Diversity and Health Studies · Ecology and biodiversity studies · Forensic and Genetic Research · History · Philosophy
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| Unique citing works | 22 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1,29 |
| Citation span | 2009 - 2025 (17) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 20 |