Revealed: 14,000-Year-Old Mummies Thought to be ‘Puppies’ Are Not Dogs, Says Groundbreaking Research

YORK, England — In an exciting discovery, researchers have found two well-preserved Ice Age “puppies” in Northern Siberia. But these adorable creatures might not be the dogs we thought they were.

Known as the “Tumat Puppies,” these animals were preserved in ice for over 14,000 years. Their stomach contents reveal intriguing details about their last meals, which included woolly rhinoceros meat and wagtail feathers. Initially believed to be early domesticated dogs or tame wolves, genetic analysis suggests they were actually two-month-old wolf pups showing no signs of human interaction.

Both puppies, thought to be sisters, likely died when their den collapsed during a landslide. This sudden event preserved them remarkably well, allowing researchers to learn more about the lives of Ice Age wolves. Lead study author Anne Kathrine Wiborg Runge shared her excitement, noting it’s amazing to uncover their story down to their last meal.

This discovery adds depth to our understanding of Ice Age animals. Unlike the more common notion that humans were close to these canids, evidence indicates they lived independently, similar to wolves today.

The Tumat Puppies were found at the Syalakh site, about 25 miles from the nearest village. One was discovered in 2011, the other in 2015, each remarkably preserved. Dr. Nathan Wales, a senior lecturer in archaeology, stated that it’s rare to find two siblings that survived such a long time.

The evidence shows that the puppies had a diverse diet, eating both meat and vegetation. A piece of partially digested woolly rhinoceros skin hints they were likely being fed by their pack, as modern wolves often hunt juvenile prey. This leads researchers to believe the Tumat Puppies were independent wild wolves rather than domesticated dogs. The study highlights the challenges in understanding when and how dogs became companions to humans.

Research around domestication is ongoing. Some experts believe that wolves began living close to humans to scavenge food, while others suggest humans may have captured and raised them. This complex relationship might have led to the first domesticated animals. However, the genetic analysis of the Tumat Puppies indicates they came from a wolf population without known ties to domestic dogs.

Dr. Linus Girdland-Flink, an expert in ancient biomolecular archaeology, explains that determining whether remains are from wild wolves or early dogs is challenging due to incomplete evidence. The absence of connections to a mammoth butchering site, alongside genetic data, suggests the Tumat Puppies lived separately from humans.

All in all, while the Tumat Puppies don’t represent the early dogs many hoped for, they offer valuable insights into Ice Age life and the evolution of wolves. The discovery also reminds us how much work is needed to understand our past and how animals and humans have interacted over millennia.

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