International Journal of Osteoarcbaeology, zyxwvut vol. 6: 471-4 87 zyxwv (1 996) zyxw ~~ On the Causes of Perforations in Archaeological Domestic Cattle S culls z DON BROTHWELL,' KEITH DOBNEW AND ANTON ERVYNCK3 'Department of Archaeology, University of York, Kings Manor, York YO1 2Ee UK; 2Environmental Archaeology Unit, University of York, Walled Garden, Heslington, York YO1 SOD, UK; and 31nstitute for the Archaeological Heritage of the Flemish Community, Doornveld 1 zyxwvutsrq box zyxwvu 30,B-1731 Zellik, Belgium ABSTRACT We have undertaken a preliminary survey of the occurrence of cranial perforations which have been noted on the posterior portion of archaeological cattle skulls. The interest arose from the authors' independent encounter with unusually high frequencies of this condition in assemblages from Bruges and Lincoln and the subsequent search for an explanation. A rapid literature survey and direct contact with other colleagues in the field showed that the phenomenon is widespread in European material and represented throughout a range of time periods and geographical locations. It is also clear that a variety of diverse but untested theories have been proposed by various workers in an attempt to explain the condition. A number of possible aetiological factors are discussed in an attempt to establish the most likely explanations. On the basis of this brief survey, which includes the evaluation of additional archaeological evidence from some of the assemblages, it would appear that parasites, tumours and infection can be ruled out as causal factors. Although not clearly established, it is suggested that a congenital or yoking pressure origin is more likely. If this is the case, then the presence of cranial perforations in domestic cattle may provide important information regarding the temporal and spatial spread of a specific congenital condition or yoking practice. Only a wider survey of both archaeological and modern comparative material (including other bovid species) will enable a full appraisal of the yoking versus congenital hypothesis. Key words: cattle skulls; cranial perforation; yoking; genetic; congenital; parasite. zyx Introduction Preliminary survey of occurrence It has been known for some time that holes with rounded margins occur in some archaeological samples of domestic cattle skulls;',2 the authors are aware of at least 16 sites with such cases. Several hypotheses concerning the possible causes of the phenomenon have been put forward, although none has been properly tested. A number of cases, including finds from Lincoln, Southampton, Bruges and Pommeroeul, have recently been brought to our attention, again raising the question of their aetiology. By detailing these finds and elaborating upon the possible causes of the condition, it is hoped to alert others working on bovid material to the possibility of finding other cases that can be used to throw further light on the problem. zyxwvuts ccc 1047-482~96/050471-17 0 1996 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd Thus far, we are aware only of examples of cattle skulls showing holes with rounded margins originating from European sites. However, the condition has been noted in material from sites covering a wide time span, the oldest example known coming from the neolithic site at Spiennes, Hainaut, Belgi~m.~ From Roman times, finds are described from Augusta Raurica, Switzerland,2 and the condition is also present in Roman material from Namur, Belgium (A. Lentacker, pers. comm.), in a cattle population with a high frequency of draught animal^.^ Roman tanner's waste and slaughter offal from the inland harbour of Pommeroeul, Belgium also shows a high frequency of cattle skulls with holes (A. Enynck, unpublished data). From Britain, Received 16 April 1996 Accepted 16 May 1996