Ploughing through pathologies: Traction-related bone deformations in cattle as indicators of changes in political economies in Bronze and Iron Age Anatolia

• First systematic study of cattle traction in early states in Southwest Asia. • Data from Hattuša, Šapinuwa, Troy, Klazomenai, and Gordion with temporal shifts from Middle Bronze to the Late Iron Age. • Integration of texts, iconography, and zooarchaeology reveals trends in cattle use. • Traction-related pathologies in periods of agricultural intensification. • Observed pathologies are less severe than those in modern draught cattle. This paper presents the first systematic study of cattle traction in Bronze and Iron Age Southwest Asia that integrates textual, iconographic, and primary zooarchaeological data. Using draught cattle as a proxy for state-driven agricultural and transport intensification, it explores spatial and temporal patterns in relation to political and economic developments, such as military expansion. Faunal assemblages from five key archeological sites – Hattuša, Šapinuwa, Troy, Klazomenai, and Gordion – were analyzed, spanning from the Middle Bronze to the Late Iron Age (2000–400 BCE). These sites, including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, represent diverse urban and regional centers. A total of 992 lower limb bones (metapodia and phalanges) were examined for traction-related pathologies. Findings indicate a strong correlation between traction-related stress, large cattle size, and a high proportion of adult animals with periods of political and economic growth. Regional and temporal variations highlight differences in agricultural strategies between capitals, regional centers, and smaller settlements. This study provides new insights into the role of draught cattle in sustaining early state economies in Southwest Asia.