Science
Dogs Were Domesticated Much Earlier Than Scientists Previously Thought
New research suggests dogs became human companions far earlier than previously believed. Scientists analysed ancient DNA to push back the timeline of dog domestication.
22,000 yearsEstimated age of the earliest dog domestication, based on ancient DNA analysis
The facts
- 1Scientists studied ancient DNA from dog fossils to work out when dogs first became domesticated from wolves.
- 2The new evidence suggests dogs were domesticated at least 22,000 years ago, thousands of years earlier than older estimates of around 15,000 years ago.
- 3Domestication means animals gradually change over many generations to live alongside humans, often becoming tamer and more trusting.
- 4Dogs are thought to be the first animal ever domesticated by humans, before sheep, cattle, or any other farm animal.
- 5Understanding when domestication happened helps scientists learn how early human societies lived, moved, and shared resources.
Why it matters
Dogs are the most common pet in the world. Finding out how and when they became our companions tells us a lot about early human history and how people and animals have shaped each other over thousands of years.
Sources
- BBC News
- Nature (journal)
