I had a collection from Middle Iron Age Winchester (south central England)
with 6 sheep/goat metapodials with the proximal epiphysis unfused (4 from
the same animal). In the 4 from the one animal, the metacarpal halves were
yet unfused and metatarsals fused; I assumed because of this development
stage that the ovicaprid was in fact foetal. Perhaps though if the
metapodial halves are well fused the animal could be neonatal and not
foetal? Personally I think it's too hard to tell really unless it's obvious
by the size of the bone (these ovicaprid metapodials were all very tiny).
~Allison
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