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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Science
Hannah Devlin Science Correspondent

Bond between dogs and humans dates back more than 15,000 years, study finds

Hands holding a reconstruction of a 14,3000-year-old dog jawbone
A replica of a dog’s jawbone dating back 14,300 years, the second-oldest on record, which was unearthed at Gough’s Cave in Somerset. Photograph: Tom Anders & Longleat

They are humankind’s best friend, and now ancient DNA analysis has revealed that the enduring bond between dogs and humans dates back more than 15,000 years.

The groundbreaking research, published in the journal Nature, pushes back the oldest genetic evidence for domestic dogs by 5,000 years, revealing that hunter-gatherers were feeding the animals and giving them ritual burials long before the emergence of agriculture.

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