Have Dogs Been Our Friends For Over 8,000 Years?
Most of us can agree that dogs are the most adorable creatures known to humanity. The serotonin boost you get after petting a dog is unparalleled. For decades dogs have served as loyal companions.
Countless studies state that spending time with dogs can have multiple benefits for human health. The evolution history of dogs is an interesting one. Scientists have undertaken extensive studies to find the origins of domesticated dogs.
A new study published in the Plos One journal asserts that humans and dogs have been friends for 8,000 years. Yes, domesticated dogs have been around for thousands of years.
What Did the Study Find?
The study was a collaborative effort between renowned anthropologists, archaeologists, and biologists. The study aimed to explore the nature of the human-dog relationship throughout history.
The methodology included looking at previously excavated remains of dogs from around the world. Extensive genetic analysis and skull comparisons of their skulls indicated that they were domesticated dogs. The study also indicated that these dogs resembled the large Siberian huskies of today.
Some of the analyzed skulls dated to 7,000 and even 8,000 years. Perhaps the most exciting aspect unveiled by this study was that humans had close bonds with these dogs. The dogs were not domesticated just for practical benefits.
The primary evidence for this assertion is that dogs’ bodies were buried next to human graves. Various tools and possessions surrounded the human graves. These possessions were usually dear to the dead person. One of the dogs was buried with a red deer tooth necklace around its neck. Burial sites were an essential piece of evidence.
The findings demonstrate that the dogs were well-loved by their human caregivers. Another dog was also buried with what seemed like a toy in its mouth. Deeper analysis also revealed that humans and domesticated dogs shared a similar diet. Both their diets were rich in fish.
