Nicoleta Manuta

1 Introduction The Linnaean classification system, which primarily focuses on morphological traits, has historically grouped cattle species based on variations in skull structure, as well as horn length and curvature (Felius et al. 2011). Consequently, the identification of cattle skulls in an archaeological context is feasible, as craniological analysis has long been employed to distinguish and compare Bos species at prehistoric sites (Grigson 1974).

Conflicts of Interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest. References , and . 1987. “Some Principles of Ligament Function, With Examples From the Tarsal Joints of the Sheep (Ovis aries).” Journal of Zoology 211, no. 3: 487–504. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1987.tb07484.x. 2020. “The Morphology of the Bovid Calcaneus: Function, Phylogenetic Signal, and Allometric Scaling.” Journal of Mammalian Evolution 27, no. 1: 111–121. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10914-018-9452-7. , and . 2014.

1 Introduction The measurement and documentation of cattle skulls have played a crucial role in discussions regarding the origin of cattle (Bartosiewicz 1980a). Researchers initiated the focus on skull type, especially in the context of studying the evolutionary origin and classification of animals (Felius et al. 2011, Ermiş et al. 2024). The Linnaean taxonomy system prioritises morphological distinctions of cattle species based on cranial shape and horn dimensions (Felius et al. 2011).