A Man's Best Friend.. For 33,000 Years!
Dogs are regarded as a “man’s best friend”. But did you know that this may have been so for over 30 centuries, perhaps even before the Ice age?
Recently scientists found a 33,000 year old dog skull in a cave in the Altai Mountains in Siberia. Another dog skull has also been discovered in Belgium which is thought to be at least 30,000 years old. These are the oldest known evidence of dog domestication. These discoveries have changed the thinking about the origin of dogs.
Before these skulls were discovered, it was believed that dogs became domesticated (began living with man and lost their wild ways) only about 12000 to 15000 years ago. They were also believed to have evolved from a single ancestor. Because the two skulls have been found so far apart, scientists now rethink that modern dogs may have several different ancestors. Could it be that dogs and man have lived together at various places around the world all through history?
Establishing the age
It is fascinating the way scientists figure out the age of dead plants and fossils. They use a method known as carbon dating. In nature, carbon can be found in three different forms- C12, C13 and C14. C14 is radioactive – that means, it is continuously emitting radiation and decaying and losing strength. C14 loses half its strength every 5730 years. This property of radioactive materials is called half life. By measuring the amount of C14 left in the skull, scientists were able to tell that the dog skull was 33,000 years old.
Evolution of dogs
Dogs are known to have evolved from wolves. Researchers know this because of the similarities in their behavior and looks. Since wolves live and hunt in the wild they have longer snouts, thinner jaws and spaced out teeth. However when dogs came to live with humans, they lost their ability to live in the wild and began to depend on humans. They adapted and developed shorter snouts, wider jaws and crowded teeth. The arrangement of the snout and teeth give clues to the scientists that the fossils belong to domesticated dogs.
Domestication of Dogs
Dogs are pack animals. They bond and interact with other dogs and humans. Dogs are also known to be den animals as they are comfortable relaxing in enclosed areas such as a crate.
When we think of domestication, cows and sheep come to mind. It may be surprising for you that dogs were probably the first animals to be domesticated by humans. In the early days when man lived in forests and hunted for food, dogs were a hunting partner because of their keen sense of smell. Over time, when man settled down and began to farm, dogs helped humans with many chores such as herding cattle. When he invented sleds and other mechanisms of transportation, dogs would pull them. In recent times, dogs act as human companions, household pets, service and guide dogs and police dogs.
I love wolves they are amazing creatures. I know how the dog packs work and stuff because my mom and i rescued a lot of rottwielers from this nasty place (women) and despite all the hunger and pain they had been through they were the sweetest dogs and very protective. So yes dogs are neat
I love dogs a ton! I thought this article was super interesting.
I'm a complete dog lover, my last dog died of lung cancer in 2009.:( I'm hoping to get a new dog very soon. I've been studying on dogs for YEARS, ask me a for TONS of dog information, I can do it!!!:)
Perhaps men hunted dogs.
I don't think that 33,000 years ago, the dogs were man's best friend.
Your right some we were hunted but im not sure if they were their friend either.
dogs are number 1# they are mans best friend they help blind and and others with disability.
wow dogs are so loyal! not to mention cute to bad I dont have a dog!
Dogs are very interesting animals. I have 2 of my own & they act like brother and sisters!
This is so cool. I never knew that !!!!!!
But the sad thing is i dont have a dog :(
33,000 years ago, they were a mans best friend! I never knew that there were even dogs from that long ago. Maybe the dogs helped the humans with hunting like they do today. I wonder if the dogs that lived 33,00 years ago looked like the dogs that we have today?
omg i looooovvvvvvvvvve dogs they are so awesome when i am older i want to get like 3 dogs and i know exactly what kinds and omg i like dogs a lot
i wonder how this discovery will change how we think of dogs. i cant believe they might be domesticated before cows etc.
dogs are awesome. who needs cats or any other kind of pet if you have a man's best friend
I agree they are a mans best friend because they give really good love and company to you.
I think this is interesting I never knew dogs were around that long. My dogs are like some of my best friends. They are by me all the time and are never mean they are always sweet. Sometimes they can be annoying from wanting to play when I am tired, but I still love them as a best friend and buddy.
interesting
i love dogs they are so neat my dog is trained it can open the door by himself so when he has to go potty he just opens the door and goes
33,000 years?!?! How long were wolves around before that?
go puppies! PUPPY-POWER :)
i love the pic of the dog laying next to his owner. how cute!
I don't really like dogs, but the video is awesome!:D
I LOVE DOGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-CLAIRE
dogs inspire me. technology is just so amazing. you wouldn't think a wolf can turn into mans best friend would you?
mans best freind for dogs is right but what about cats and birds
The evolution of dogs is cool.
well i love dogs and i love the expression mans best friend. Dogs can do some amazing things and i know that i sure love my dog. So there should be an expression women's best friend!
Really cool! And great video.
I LOVE DOGs! My dog indeed is a friend!
Interesting!
Interesting
Our dog is a Boston Terrier. His name is Orson. Hes going bald.
Ok so what they say is true about dogs but what about wolves (today)?? hmmm I wonder...
Yea we have always had dogs! My dog Wally is the best doggy ever.
Wow dog live 33,000 years ago!
wow a 33,000 year old dog skull that is realy old
i never know that dogs where mans best friend.
Very bony
Very interesting. i loved the map!
hate dogs. love cats
love cats,too!!!
-.- no way
I really wish I had a dog I could teach it lots of tricks and stuff like that. but my mom said it would be to much work.
This is a very neat article.
Cool.
Very good article about dogs!
I love dogs.
i love dogs! they are a mans best friend.... and a WO-mans best friend!!
Wow! This article was the most interesting one in the whole website,since it was about doggies! It was sooo amazing that doggies are that many years old. When I read this, I didn't want to stop! Anyways, I'll ask Santa cute, little puppy.
This article was my most favorite one ever! This was so interesting, since it was about doggies! I can't believe that dogs lived for that long.I want a doggie sooo badly!!!
wow this is so awesome like seriously dogs and wolfes are alike like that amazing
This was very cool and awesome I triple love dogs and meat!!!!!!
Great article!