Oldest Dog Burial Unveils Ancient Human Canine Bond

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Sunlit, Ancient Graves
Credit: pexels.com, Sunlit, Ancient Graves

The oldest dog burial ever discovered has given us a glimpse into the deep bond between humans and dogs that dates back thousands of years. This remarkable find was unearthed in Germany and is estimated to be around 14,223 years old.

This ancient burial site tells us that dogs were not just pets, but also held a special place in the hearts of our ancestors. The discovery of a dog buried with its owner suggests a level of companionship and loyalty that is still present in human-canine relationships today.

The dog's remains were found with the remains of a human, and it's believed that they were buried together in a deliberate act of care and respect. This level of care and attention to detail indicates that humans and dogs had a strong emotional connection.

Ancient Dog Burials

In ancient cultures, dogs were often buried with their owners or in special locations, suggesting a deep emotional connection between humans and dogs. This practice has been observed in various civilizations, including the Aztecs and Stone Age communities.

Credit: youtube.com, MAN'S ANCIENT FRIEND | Neolithic pet dog buried 6,000 years ago.

The Aztecs believed that dogs protected pyramids and monuments, and were even thought to guide the souls of the deceased into a new life. They would often bury dogs under buildings or with human remains, and in some cases, even consume them on special occasions.

Archaeologists have discovered several ancient dog burial sites, including one in Mexico City that dates back to between 1350 and 1520 A.D. This site, which contains the remains of 12 dogs, is significant because it's the first exclusively dog burial site to be found.

Aztec Burial Site Discovered in Mexico City

In Mexico City, archaeologists have made a groundbreaking discovery - a burial site with remains of 12 dogs has been found, dating back to between 1350 and 1520 A.D.

This isn't the first time dog remains have been discovered from the Aztec empire, but it's the first time a burial site exclusively for dogs has been uncovered.

Credit: youtube.com, Ancient Aztec dog burial site discovered in Mexico

The dogs were buried two meters into the ground with no specific burial pattern, and experts are still trying to determine the breed of the dogs.

The remains suggest the dogs were medium in size and had a full set of teeth, which is a characteristic of the Techichi breed, an ancestor of the modern-day Chihuahua.

The Aztecs believed dogs had significant religious significance and would often bury them under pyramids and monuments to protect them and guide the souls of the deceased into a new life.

The Aztecs also kept dogs as domestic pets and consumed them on special occasions, showing the importance of dogs in their culture.

Experts are still analyzing the remains to determine how the dogs were killed and to learn more about their significance in Aztec society.

Here's an interesting read: Oldest Dog in the World Breed

8,400-Year-Old Burial Found in Sweden

An 8,400-year-old dog was discovered in Sweden, buried in a Stone Age settlement at Ljungaviken, Sölvesborg.

The remains of the dog were found with objects believed to be grave goods, suggesting it was a beloved companion and colleague.

Credit: youtube.com, Faithful 8,400-year-old dog found buried with his master in Sweden #AtoZmedia

Project manager Carl Persson said the find makes him feel closer to the people who lived in the settlement.

The dog was buried among 56 different structures, including hearths, postholes, and pits, discovered through archaeological surveys in 2015.

The bones of the dog were examined by an animal osteologist, but he couldn't identify its breed due to the lack of a modern comparison.

The closest he could get was to say the dog was "like a powerful greyhound."

The dog was buried around 6,700-5,700 B.C., when the site was beachfront property on a small island or peninsula.

The settlement was likely used only part of the year, in the summer and autumn, for fishing and seal hunting.

The Bond Between Humans and Dogs

The bond between humans and dogs is a special one. Archaeologists have found evidence of this bond in ancient human settlements, where dogs were buried with care and respect.

The remains of a dog found in Sweden, dated back around 8,000 years, are a prime example of this. The dog was buried in a grave with grave goods, similar to how humans were buried in ancient societies.

This suggests that humans and dogs had a deep emotional connection, one that went beyond just a practical or mutually beneficial relationship. As Carl Persson said, the discovery makes us feel closer to our ancient forbears and shows how similar we are in certain ways to them.

The Bond Between Ancient Humans and Dogs

Credit: youtube.com, Man's First Friend - The Epic Story of Dogs & Humans | Free Documentary Nature

Ancient humans and dogs shared a deep bond, with evidence of dog burials dating back over 8,000 years. The discovery of a well-preserved dog buried in a grave in Sweden, along with grave goods, is a remarkable example of this bond.

Archaeologists have found that dogs were treated just like people when they died, with some burials including necklaces and other offerings. This suggests that ancient humans believed dogs had souls and an afterlife.

In Sweden, the ancient dog was buried like a person, with its grave goods including shards of flint. The exact nature of these grave goods remains a mystery, but it's clear that the dog was held in high esteem.

The Aztecs also revered dogs, burying them in a special graveyard in Mexico City. This site, which dates back to between 1350 and 1520 AD, is the oldest dog graveyard ever discovered.

Dogs were believed to protect pyramids and monuments when buried underneath them, and guide the souls of the deceased into a new life. This shows just how deeply ingrained the bond between humans and dogs was in ancient cultures.

The fact that dogs were often buried with grave goods, just like humans, is a testament to the strong emotional connection between humans and dogs.

The Mystery of Domestication

Credit: youtube.com, How Dogs (Eventually) Became Our Best Friends

Dogs were first domesticated between 20,000 to 40,000 years ago.

The exact process of domestication is still a mystery, but one theory is that wolves scavenged near human settlements and eventually became domesticated.

Wolves and humans may have formed a symbiotic relationship through hunting together, which led to the evolution of less aggressive and sociable wolves into modern dogs.

The remains of ancient dogs found in Italy and Sweden are helping experts understand the history of dogs in Europe and the unique bond between humans and canines.

Further analysis of the Italian find suggests it could be as old as 20,000 years, indicating the beginning of the human-canine relationship.

Dogs were not only used for practical purposes like hunting and security, but humans also developed emotional attachments with canines.

The Mystery of Ancient Burials

The oldest dog burial was discovered in Bonn-Oberkassel, Germany, dating back around 14,200 years. This ancient burial is a significant find in the field of archaeology.

Credit: youtube.com, Mysteries Facts About World's Largest Dog Cemetery in The Ancient World

In ancient cultures, burials were often used to show respect and care for the deceased, including their pets. The Bonn-Oberkassel dog burial is a remarkable example of this.

The burial site contained the remains of a dog and a human, buried together with grave goods and artifacts. This suggests that the ancient people had a deep emotional connection with their pets.

The dog's remains were found in a grave with a stone tool, a flint knife, and a piece of deer antler. This implies that the dog was likely a companion to the human who was buried with it.

The discovery of the Bonn-Oberkassel dog burial has provided valuable insights into the lives of ancient people and their relationships with animals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the oldest dog human burial?

The oldest known dog human burial is that of the Bonn-Oberkassel dog, which dates back around 14,200 years to the Ice Age era in Germany. This significant discovery was made a century ago alongside the remains of a man and a woman.

Where is the 8400 year old dog buried?

The 8,400 year old dog remains were discovered buried next to a human in a site near Solvesborg, a southern Swedish town. The exact location of the burial site is near the town of Solvesborg in southern Sweden.

What is the oldest domesticated dog remains?

The oldest domesticated dog remains date back to around 15,000 years before present (YBP) in the Bonn-Oberkassel dog. However, earlier remains from 30,000 YBP are also found, but their status as dogs or wolves is still debated.

Rachel Kunze

Senior Writer

Rachel Kunze is a passionate writer with a keen interest in the world of animals and agriculture. Her articles have been featured in various publications, covering topics such as the Maremma Sheepdog and livestock breeds. With a deep understanding of the subject matter, Rachel's writing is informative, engaging, and accessible to readers of all levels.

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