Our dogs' diversity can be traced back to the Stone Age
9 days ago
- #domestication
- #dog evolution
- #Stone Age
- Dogs' physical transformation from wolves began in the Middle Stone Age, over 10,000 years ago.
- A study of 600+ prehistoric canine skulls revealed early diversity in dog shapes, including shorter snouts and wider heads.
- Nearly half of modern dog breed diversity was present by the middle of the Stone Age.
- Dogs were the first domesticated animals, with evidence of human-canine relationships spanning 30,000 years.
- Humans and wolves likely formed mutualistic relationships, with tamer wolves scavenging near human settlements.
- Physical changes in dogs may stem from human interaction, environmental adaptation, and dietary shifts.
- Ancient DNA studies show dogs migrated alongside humans, integrating into societies for millennia.