Animals Thread (Animals are better than people)
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HSanders
Cracker bitch
A new study from the University of Arizona sheds new light on the long-standing bond between humans and dogs, suggesting that this companionship may date back 12,000 years in the Americas—2,000 years earlier than previously thought.
This finding adds a new chapter to our understanding of how Indigenous peoples interacted with early dog ancestors and wolves.
The research, published in the journal Science Advances, focused on archaeological remains found in Alaska.
“We now have evidence that canids and people developed close relationships earlier than we realized,” Lanoë stated.
In 2018, Lanoë and his team unearthed a tibia, or lower leg bone, belonging to an adult canine at the Swan Point site, about 70 miles southeast of Fairbanks, Alaska.
Radiocarbon dating revealed that this canine lived around 12,000 years ago, toward the end of the Ice Age.
In June 2023, researchers excavated a jawbone from an 8,100-year-old canine near Hollembaek Hill, showing signs of domestication.
One of the most intriguing findings from the research was the evidence of salmon in the diet of the ancient canines.
Chemical analyses of both bones indicated significant levels of salmon proteins, suggesting that these dogs relied on humans for their meals.
“This is the smoking gun,” said co-author Ben Potter, an archaeologist at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. “They’re not hunting for salmon on their own in the wild.”
Lanoë noted that while the behavior of these ancient canines suggests a form of domestication, genetically, they may not be related to modern dog breeds.
“They could have been tamed wolves rather than fully domesticated dogs,” he explained.
This research is particularly meaningful as it reflects a partnership with Indigenous communities in Alaska.
For decades, archaeologists have worked closely with tribal members in the Tanana Valley.
Before embarking on studies, they consult with the Healy Lake Village Council, representing the Mendas Cha'ag people, to secure permissions and involve them in the research process.
Growing up in the region, Combs explored archaeological sites as a child and learned from the researchers she now works alongside.
She expressed the importance of honoring the individuals who live on the land, saying, “It is little – but it is profound – to get the proper permission and to respect those who live on that land.”
Combs believes the historical relationship between humans and dogs resonates with her community.
She highlighted that many residents of her village maintain a close bond with their dogs, a connection she also experienced with her pet, a Labrador retriever mix named Rosebud.
Reflecting on this enduring companionship, Combs stated, “I really love that we can look at the record and see that thousands of years ago, we still had our companions.”
This study showcases the long history of human-canine relationships and underscores the ongoing cultural significance of these bonds today.
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This finding adds a new chapter to our understanding of how Indigenous peoples interacted with early dog ancestors and wolves.
The research, published in the journal Science Advances, focused on archaeological remains found in Alaska.
From survival to companionship
Lead researcher François Lanoë, an assistant professor at the university's School of Anthropology, emphasized the significance of this discovery for those studying the early inhabitants of the Americas.“We now have evidence that canids and people developed close relationships earlier than we realized,” Lanoë stated.
In 2018, Lanoë and his team unearthed a tibia, or lower leg bone, belonging to an adult canine at the Swan Point site, about 70 miles southeast of Fairbanks, Alaska.
Radiocarbon dating revealed that this canine lived around 12,000 years ago, toward the end of the Ice Age.
In June 2023, researchers excavated a jawbone from an 8,100-year-old canine near Hollembaek Hill, showing signs of domestication.
One of the most intriguing findings from the research was the evidence of salmon in the diet of the ancient canines.
Chemical analyses of both bones indicated significant levels of salmon proteins, suggesting that these dogs relied on humans for their meals.
“This is the smoking gun,” said co-author Ben Potter, an archaeologist at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. “They’re not hunting for salmon on their own in the wild.”
Dogs and humans
While the evidence points to a close relationship between humans and canines, the researchers caution that it’s still unclear if the Swan Point canine represents the earliest domesticated dog in the Americas.Lanoë noted that while the behavior of these ancient canines suggests a form of domestication, genetically, they may not be related to modern dog breeds.
“They could have been tamed wolves rather than fully domesticated dogs,” he explained.
This research is particularly meaningful as it reflects a partnership with Indigenous communities in Alaska.
For decades, archaeologists have worked closely with tribal members in the Tanana Valley.
Before embarking on studies, they consult with the Healy Lake Village Council, representing the Mendas Cha'ag people, to secure permissions and involve them in the research process.
A bond like this
Evelynn Combs, a member of the Healy Lake community and an archaeologist herself, shared her perspective on this collaboration.Growing up in the region, Combs explored archaeological sites as a child and learned from the researchers she now works alongside.
She expressed the importance of honoring the individuals who live on the land, saying, “It is little – but it is profound – to get the proper permission and to respect those who live on that land.”
Combs believes the historical relationship between humans and dogs resonates with her community.
She highlighted that many residents of her village maintain a close bond with their dogs, a connection she also experienced with her pet, a Labrador retriever mix named Rosebud.
Reflecting on this enduring companionship, Combs stated, “I really love that we can look at the record and see that thousands of years ago, we still had our companions.”
This study showcases the long history of human-canine relationships and underscores the ongoing cultural significance of these bonds today.
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