Scientists suggest in a new study that dogs were first domesticated in Europe many thousands of years ago. This is the head of a Pleistocene wolf from the Trou des Nutons cave in Belgium, estimated to be 26,000 years old. This was a particularly large wolf species.
courtesy Royal Belgian Institute Natural Sciences
How dogs came to be domesticated —
The head of a Palaeolithic dog from the Goyet cave in Belgium, thought to be 36,000 years old. Researchers believe the species that this fossil represents was an ancient sister-group to all modern dogs and wolves. They believe the species was less likely to be a direct ancestor.
courtesy Royal Belgian Institute Natural Sciences
How dogs came to be domesticated —
Mandible of a dog from the Oberkassel site in Germany, approximately 14,700 years old.
J. Vogel/LVR-LandesMuseum Bonn.
How dogs came to be domesticated —
This fossil specimen is from a dog burial site in Greene County, Illinois, and is estimated to be 8,500 years old.
courtesy Del Baston, Center for American Archaeology
How dogs came to be domesticated —
Another view of fossils from a dog burial site in Greene County, Illinois, thought to be 8,500 years old.
courtesy Del Baston, Center for American Archaeology
