People and dogs bonded much earlier than we thought

The saying “dog is man’s best friend” raises an interesting question: When did this bond between dogs and humans really begin?

A new study led by François Lanoë of the University of Arizona takes a big step toward answering this question. The research sheds light on the early relationships between indigenous peoples in the Americas and the dogs that roamed the land thousands of years ago.

Relationship between dogs and people

The study, published in the journal Scientific advancesis based on archaeological remains found in Alaska.

Research shows that the relationship between humans and dogs may have begun much earlier than previously thought – around 12,000 years ago, long before the recorded history of the Americas.

“We now have evidence that canids and humans had close relationships earlier than we knew in the Americas,” said François Lanoë, assistant professor of research at the U of A School of Anthropology.

This discovery challenges previous assumptions and provides valuable insights into this ancient human-animal connection.

Discovery of early dog ​​remains

The breakthrough came in 2018, when Lanoë and his team excavated a tibia—the lower leg bone—of an adult dog at Swan Point, an archaeological site near Fairbanks, Alaska.

Radiocarbon dating revealed that the bone belonged to a dog that lived about 12,000 years ago, near the end of the Ice Age.

Further excavations in 2023 at Hollembaek Hill, another site in Alaska, uncovered an 8,100-year-old dog jawbone. The bones showed signs that these animals may have been tamed or domesticated by humans.

Have humans fed fish to dogs?

The most fascinating part of the discovery was the chemical analysis of both bones. The researchers found significant traces of salmon proteins, suggesting the canines had eaten fish.

This finding was particularly significant because wild dogs at this time typically hunted land animals, not fish. The presence of salmon in the diet suggests a closer relationship between dogs and humans, possibly indicating a dependence on human food.

“This is the smoking gun, because in the wild they don’t really care about salmon,” said Ben Potter, an archaeologist at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

The most likely explanation for salmon appearing in the animal’s diet was that they were fed by humans.

Dogs or tamed wolves?

The discovery at Swan Point suggests that humans and dogs in the Americas shared a close bond much earlier than we thought.

But is this the oldest domesticated dog in the region? Not necessarily. Although these canines were likely dependent on humans, they may not have been fully domesticated dogs as we know them today.

Lanoë pointed out that the Swan Point and Hollembaek Hill specimens may be too old to be genetically related to the dogs we know today.

“Behaviorally, they appear to be like dogs, as they ate human-provided salmon,” Lanoë explained. “But genetically they have nothing to do with what we know.” It is possible that these animals were tamed wolves rather than true domesticated dogs.

The study raises a critical question: What exactly makes a dog? Is it because of their relationship to humans or because of their genetic characteristics? As Lanoë noted, this study invites further research into the nature of these early canine companions.

“It asks the existential question: What is a dog?” remarked Potter.

Partnering with tribal communities

This study of the relationship between dogs and humans is part of a long-standing collaboration with tribal communities in the Tanana Valley of Alaska.

Archaeologists have worked in this area since the 1930s and often consult the Healy Lake Village Council before conducting research. The Council representing the Mendas Cha’ag people indigenous to the region approved genetic testing of the dog samples discovered as part of this study.

Josh Reuther, an archaeologist at the University of Alaska Museum, emphasized the importance of working with local tribes. Researchers always communicate their plans to the Healy Lake Village Council before beginning any studies, including this one.

“It’s little – but it’s profound – to obtain appropriate permission and respect those who live on this land,” said Evelynn Combs, a Healy Lake member and archaeologist for the tribe’s Office of Cultural Preservation.

Growing up in the Tanana Valley, Combs often explored archaeological sites alongside archaeologists, developing a deep respect for the connection between her people and the land. Today she is part of a community where almost everyone has a strong bond with their dogs.

“I really like the idea that no matter how long it’s been, it’s a repeatable cultural experience that I have that relationship and that level of love for my dog,” Combs said. “I know that these relationships have always existed throughout history.”

A timeless connection

This discovery confirms what many have always known: the relationship between humans and dogs is ancient and enduring. In the Tanana Valley, where tribal members have long viewed their dogs as mystical companions, this connection has existed for millennia.

For Combs, this connection is more than just historical; it is a part of their life. “We still had our companions,” she said, reflecting on the centuries of shared history between humans and dogs.

As research continues, it reminds us that the relationship between humans and their canine companions is much older than we might have imagined – it’s a timeless connection that transcends geography.

The study is published in the journal Scientific advances.

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