[The discovery of a horse skeleton from the 17th century in Kiesen in Bern canton].

This archaeological study focuses on the discovery of a 17th century horse skeleton in Kiesen, Switzerland, which was found in 1968. Radiocarbon dating techniques were used to determine the age of the skeleton and establish that it belonged to a 13-year old gelding that lived in the first third of the 17th century.

About the Discovery

• The study centers around an archaeological find made in the year 1968 in the town of Kiesen, located in Switzerland. This discovery consisted of a horse skeleton, a find of particular importance due to its historical and archaeological potential.
• Radiocarbon dating was used as a method to ascertain the age of the horse skeleton. This method is a technique that scientists apply to date ancient biological artifacts up to 50,000 years old.
• The analysis concluded that the gelding must have lived during the first third of the 17th century, providing a specific timeframe for this archaeological specimen.

The Horse and Its Life

• The skeleton belongs to a gelding, a male horse that has been castrated.
• According to the data gathered from the analysis of the skeleton, the horse was approximately 13 years old, a finding obtained through the study of the horse’s teeth and bones.
• The measurements of the horse’s withers, the area between the shoulders which corresponds to the height of the horse, indicates that the horse stood approximately between 135 to 140 cm tall.
• There is an implication that the horse died due to an accident, though the study does not elaborate on what kind of accident it could have been.

Documentation and Analysis

• The bones were thoroughly recorded with detailed pictures and measurements, ensuring accurate documentation of this archaeological discovery. This meticulous recording is essential for further research and comparisons to other horse skeletons.
• The results along with the complete findings were described and discussed comprehensively for a better understanding of the life and time of the gelding. This detailed report is crucial for historical and zoological research, providing valuable insights into the horses’ breed, lifestyle, and usage in the 17th century in Switzerland.