The University of Colorado Boulder conducted a study examining the effects of horseback riding on human skeletons. The researchers found that while riding can alter the shape of the hip joint, these changes are not definitive indicators of whether individuals have ridden horses. Various activities, such as sitting for long periods of time, can also transform human bones. The study, published in Science Advances, highlights the complexity of tying skeletal changes to specific activities in archaeology.
The research has implications for understanding the origins of horse domestication and challenges the long-standing Kurgan hypothesis in archaeology. The Kurgan hypothesis suggests a close relationship between humans and horses dating back to the fourth millennium B.C., with the domestication of horses leading to the spread of Indo-European languages. Evidence from the Ural Mountains of Russia supports the use of horses for transport around 4,000 years ago, but recent studies cast doubt on the Kurgan hypothesis and the timing of early horseback riding.
The study’s co-authors, including William Taylor, curator of archaeology at the CU Museum of Natural History, argue that the wear and tear in ancient skeletons previously attributed to horseback riding may not be conclusive evidence. Lauren Hosek, lead author of the study, explains that changes in the skeletal structure, such as elongation of the hip joint from flexing the legs during horseback riding, can also result from other activities, like using cattle or donkeys for transport in ancient times. The researchers emphasize the need to consider genetic and archaeological evidence alongside skeletal remains to accurately date the origins of horseback riding.
Hosek has observed similar skeletal changes in human remains from different time periods, such as Catholic nuns from the 20th century who took long carriage rides rather than riding horses. The repetitive, intense pressure experienced during carriage rides could cause similar skeletal changes compared to horseback riding. The complexity of interpreting skeletal evidence underscores the need to combine multiple lines of evidence, including genetics and material culture, to gain a comprehensive understanding of ancient activities such as horseback riding.
The lack of definitive evidence linking skeletal changes to horseback riding challenges the validity of the Kurgan hypothesis and the assumed timelines of early horse domestication. While archaeological finds from the Yamnaya culture initially supported the hypothesis, the recent study suggests that the relationship between humans and horses may not have been as early or as direct as previously thought. The implications of this research extend to our understanding of ancient transportation methods, language spread, and human-animal relationships throughout history.
In conclusion, the study from the University of Colorado Boulder highlights the complex relationship between human skeletons and activities like horseback riding. The researchers caution against using skeletal changes as sole evidence for dating the origins of horse domestication, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary approaches in archaeology. By combining genetic, archaeological, and skeletal evidence, scholars can gain a more accurate understanding of ancient human practices and their impact on skeletal remains. This study challenges long-held theories in archaeology and opens up new avenues for interpreting human-animal relationships in the past.
