Bond between dogs and humans dates back more than 15,000 years, study finds
The Guardian • • world
Key Points:
- Ancient DNA analysis reveals that the bond between humans and dogs dates back over 15,000 years, pushing back the oldest genetic evidence for domestic dogs by 5,000 years.
- The oldest dog specimen, 15,800 years old, was found buried alongside humans in Anatolia, Turkey, indicating ritual burials and purposeful feeding by hunter-gatherers well before agriculture.
- The study shows dogs with diverse ancestries existed across Eurasia by 15,000 years ago, suggesting domestication occurred during the last ice age, much earlier than previously thought.
- Advanced sequencing techniques allowed researchers to reconstruct ancient dog genomes, confirming dogs were widespread in Europe and western Asia by at least 14,000 years ago, often sharing dietary patterns with humans.
- Evidence from burials and genetics suggests dogs played important roles beyond companionship, possibly aiding hunting or serving as early warning systems, and were likely traded between ancient human groups.
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