Ancient Dog Remains from Siberia
Author Information
Author(s): Ovodov Nikolai D., Crockford Susan J., Kuzmin Yaroslav V., Higham Thomas F. G., Hodgins Gregory W. L., van der Plicht Johannes
Primary Institution: Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography
Hypothesis
Did early dog-like canids exist before the Last Glacial Maximum?
Conclusion
The Razboinichya Cave specimen is an early dog that likely did not contribute to later dog lineages due to environmental disruptions.
Supporting Evidence
- The remains were found in a well-preserved state, allowing for detailed morphological analysis.
- Radiocarbon dating indicated the specimen is approximately 33,000 years old.
- The study suggests that dog domestication occurred in multiple regions, not just one.
Takeaway
Scientists found a very old dog-like animal in a cave in Siberia, showing that dogs were domesticated in different places at the same time.
Methodology
The study involved morphological analysis and radiocarbon dating of a dog-like canid's remains.
Limitations
The findings are based on a single specimen, which may not represent the broader population of early dogs.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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