Ancient dog DNA reveals domestication 15,800 years ago in Anatolia. Researchers identified dog remains in Anatolia dating back 15,800 years through ancient DNA analysis Dog remains found at Pinabashi site in Turkey and Goff's Cave in UK By 14,300 years ago, dogs had spread across Western Eurasia

Dog DNA from Anatolia pushes back earliest confirmed evidence by 5,000 years! Genetic separation from wolves occurred 16,000 years ago. Dogs ate fish (like their owners) and received symbolic burials alongside humans. They spread 4,000+ km across Europe as hunting partners. 🐕🔬

Key facts claimed:

- Researchers identified dog remains in Anatolia dating back 15,800 years through ancient DNA analysis

- Dog remains found at Pınarbaşı site in Turkey and Gough's Cave in UK

- By 14,300 years ago, dogs had spread across Western Eurasia

- Previous earliest confirmed genetic record was 10,900 years ago

- Genetic separation between dogs and wolves occurred at least 16,000 years ago during early domestication

Key Facts

  • Researchers identified dog remains in Anatolia dating back 15,800 years through ancient DNA analysis
  • Dog remains found at Pinabashi site in Turkey and Goff's Cave in UK
  • By 14,300 years ago, dogs had spread across Western Eurasia
  • Previous earliest confirmed genetic record was 10,900 years ago
  • Genetic separation between dogs and wolves occurred at least 16,000 years ago during early domestication
  • Dr. Lucky Scarsbrook (Oxford) stated this pushes back earliest direct evidence of dogs by 5,000 years
  • Isotopic chemistry from Pinabashi shows dogs were fed fish-rich diet matching their human owners
  • Dogs received intentional burials sometimes alongside humans, suggesting symbolic significance
  • Despite living 4,000+ km apart, early dogs shared close genetic relationship indicating rapid spread
  • Professor Gregor Larsson (Oxford) noted dogs spread quickly across Europe as hunting partners

Related site: Pınarbaşı (Thymbra?) — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.

Source: LIVE ~ PREHISTORIC ARCHAEOLOGY NEWS From Around the World by The Prehistory Guys