Researchers Claim To Have Found Bones of the Earliest Domesticated Dog From a Cave
A new finding suggests that human and animal bonding could have started thousands of years ago, according to New Scientist. A team of experts in southern France claimed to have made this discovery.
| Photo by ROMAN ODINTSOV)
A group of experts found a 16,000-year-old canine skeleton at a French cave called Baume Traucade in 2021. Examinations revealed that the creature was possibly looked after by a human, and also eventually met its end at the hands of a human.
Examinations revealed that the skeleton is around 16,000 years old, according to Earth. The skeleton was nearly complete in structure and appears to belong to a creature called Palaeolithic dogs. More remains spotted at other sites of Western Europe indicate that such creatures were supposedly providing assistance to the humans in certain tasks, like hunting.
Researchers analyzed the animal's limbs, jaw, and skull, after which they compared the remains with other specimens of modern canids and wolves. The remains indicated that the canine was around 24 inches tall at the shoulder and weighed approximately 57 pounds. The skeleton was buried under several sediment layers, which eventually preserved the bones from any kind of external harm.
The size and other features indicated that the canine was an adult female. Though her exact age remained undetermined, researchers believe that she experienced at least one year of maturity. The physical features of the canine were more similar to wolves than to ancient dogs. There are several impact marks on the skeleton, which indicate to experts that humans interacted with this creature. The injuries were consistent with the features noted in markings that were from a beating by humans.
The skeleton exhibited multiple injuries, some of which were healed vertebrae fractures, according to One Green Planet. This suggested to experts that humans also possibly cared for these animals to expedite their healing. This implies that domestication possibly existed between humans and creatures in the cave.
Researchers also noted that there were two unhealed puncture wounds on the shoulder blade of this creature. Experts think these specific wounds caused the animal's death in prehistoric times. The injuries were similar to wounds observed on ancient animals, possibly hunted with projectiles. This implies that the dog could have been killed by humans. Experts are yet to figure out what dynamic was in play between this creature and the humans around them. However, one thing is clear that the relationship between dogs and humans stood apart even back then.
The skeleton's position inside the cave made researchers conclude that the creature was not dragged inside by any means, according to Earth. Researchers believe that the dog took her last breath inside the cave, and not some other region. The plan is now to conduct the genetic analysis of these remains, to figure out their ancestors, and if they are known to science. The examinations could also shed light on lineages that are no longer present, and give more detailed insights into dog evolution.