Objective

To provide prevalence data for future comparative analysis of the health status of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) accumulated in the archaeological record.

Materials

Two contrasting assemblages were analysed for pathological and sub-pathological changes: 1) an assemblage of domestic modern rabbit bones; and 2) a non-anthropogenic accumulation of archaeological rabbit remains.

Methods

The lesions observed macroscopically, under magnification, and radiographically in both assemblages are quantified and described.

Results

In the first assemblage, pathological and sub-pathological changes mostly affected the lower limb bones and primarily took two forms: diaphyseal periosteal proliferation and hypervascularised distal physes. Differential diagnosis of the periosteal proliferation suggests that pododermatitis is the most probable cause. In the second assemblage fractures were the most common lesions, but isolated examples of hypervascularised physes, periosteal proliferation, and musculo-skeletal stress markers were also identified. The pathological changes recorded is typical of a naturally-accumulated population of wild rabbits.

Conclusions

The prevalence of pathological and sub-pathological skeletal changes in the rabbits, and thus their health status, are closely related to living conditions. This study demonstrates the value of systematically recording pathologies in rabbit bones.

Significance

We contribute new data to help understand rabbit interactions with humans in the past and also the environment they inhabited.

Limitations

Working with modern samples frequently means only incomplete skeletons are available for study. In these cases lesion prevalence always needs to be interpreted with caution.

Suggestions for further research

Paleopathological studies of rabbit remains are remarkable for their absence. Further exhaustive research in this area is advised.

中文翻译：

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欧洲兔骨的病理和亚病理变化：应用于考古组合分析的两个参考案例

客观的

为日后考古记录中积累的兔兔（Oryctolagus cuniculus）健康状况的比较分析提供流行数据。

材料

分析了两个对比组合的病理和亚病理变化：1）家养现代兔骨的组合；2) 考古兔遗骸的非人为积累。

方法

对两种组合中宏观、放大和射线照相观察到的病变进行量化和描述。

结果

在第一次组合中，病理和亚病理变化主要影响下肢骨骼，主要有两种形式：骨干骨膜增生和血管化的远端骺。骨膜增生的鉴别诊断表明足皮炎是最可能的原因。在第二次组合中，骨折是最常见的病变，但也发现了血管丰富的骺、骨膜增生和肌肉骨骼应力标志物的孤立例子。记录的病理变化是自然积累的野兔种群的典型特征。

结论

家兔病理性和亚病理性骨骼变化的发生率及其健康状况与生活条件密切相关。这项研究证明了系统记录兔骨病理的价值。

意义

我们提供新数据以帮助了解兔子过去与人类的互动以及他们居住的环境。

限制

使用现代样本通常意味着只有不完整的骨骼可供研究。在这些情况下，总是需要谨慎解释病变患病率。

进一步研究的建议

兔遗骸的古病理学研究因其缺失而引人注目。建议在该领域进行进一步详尽的研究。