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Deer antlers are incredibly variable structures, and one sees all sorts of pathologies. As a general rule, if the pathology is bilateral (you'd have to have both antlers, of course, which seldom happens in archaeological samples) then it is genetic or nutritional in nature. Unilateral anomolies age usually due to trauma. A good reference to begin with is: Horns, Pronghorns, and Antlers. Evolution, Morphology, Physiology, and Social Significance von <A HREF="http://www.amazon.de/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=books-de&field-author=Bubenik%2C%20George%20A./302-1276998-4193637">George A. Bubenik</A>, <A HREF="http://www.amazon.de/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=books-de&field-author=Bubenik%2C%20Anthony%20B./302-1276998-4193637">Anthony B. Bubenik</A> Hope this helps. Richard White International Wildlife Museum Tucson, Arizona