Man’s Older Friend: Dogs Coexisted with Humans 5,000 Years Earlier Than Believed

For years, researchers have understood that dogs evolved from grey wolves during the last Ice Age, yet the precise timeline of their domestication and their early appearance remained unclear. New studies, however, have pushed back the known history of dogs’ integration with humans by nearly five millennia, revealing their presence alongside people as far back as 15,800 to 14,000 years ago.

Genetic Evidence from Ancient Remains

Two independent investigations have uncovered the earliest genetic traces of domesticated dogs across Europe and Asia. By analyzing DNA from over 200 canine and wolf fossils, scientists identified critical remains from locations such as Pınarbaşı in central Türkiye and Gough’s Cave in southwest England. These discoveries provide a more detailed narrative of dogs’ evolutionary journey and their role in shaping early human societies.

“This is the earliest clear genetic evidence we have for domestic dogs,” said Pontus Skoglund, a geneticist at the Francis Crick Institute in London, UK, and co-author of one of the studies.

The research also underscores a long-standing connection between humans and dogs. Chemical analysis of bones from Türkiye suggests ancient canines shared a diet of fish with their human companions, hinting at a symbiotic relationship. At Gough’s Cave, a dog jawbone was found with meticulous post-mortem treatment, including cut marks and arrangement methods akin to those used on human remains. This indicates dogs were not merely pets but held a deeper, potentially symbolic, place in human culture.

“They are humanity’s best friend, alongside our societies for the last 16,000 years and will continue to in the future,” remarked Lachie Scarsbrook, a study co-author from the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich.

These findings challenge earlier assumptions and highlight the deep, enduring bond between humans and dogs. By isolating and studying ancient canine DNA, scientists are now able to trace this relationship with greater precision, shedding light on the origins of one of humanity’s oldest companions.