Scientists trace dogs' history using the oldest genes ever studied
AP News • • world
Key Points:
- New research analyzing ancient dog DNA has pushed back the timeline for dog domestication to at least 15,800 years ago, about 5,000 years earlier than previously thought.
- Scientists studied genes from over 200 ancient dogs and wolves across Western Europe and Asia, finding that dogs were already widespread 14,200 years ago among hunter-gatherer societies before the advent of agriculture.
- Unlike human populations, which were significantly impacted by migrations during the development of agriculture, ancient dog genes remained more consistent and were influenced mainly by interactions among hunter-gatherer groups.
- The earliest dogs likely resembled smaller wolves, though their exact appearance and roles alongside humans—such as guarding, hunting, or companionship—remain uncertain.
- This research highlights the long-standing and evolving relationship between humans and dogs, which has persisted for over 16,000 years and continues today.
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