Ancient South Americans were buried with their pet foxes

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2024-04-10 09:01

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Juandertal via Wikimedia Commons

Around the year 450, 18 adults and six younger relatives were buried in Northwest Patagonia, Argentina. They shared the grave with their canid companions, including the extinct Dusicyon avus, a type of fox. The authors of a new study describe the ancient grave, which was found in a clay mine, and note that the introduction of modern dogs probably played a role in the loss of foxes as companion animals.

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From: The Royal Society

Patagonian Partnerships: the extinct Dusicyon avus and its Interaction with Prehistoric Human Communities
Royal Society Open Science

Exploring the relationship between the extinct fox Dusicyon avus and hunter-gatherers in Patagonia, Argentina, our study delves into ancient burial sites to uncover intriguing connections. Through meticulous analysis of skeletal remains and genetic data, we shed light on dietary habits, potential hybridization with domestic dogs, and the socio-cultural significance of these interactions. Our findings challenge previous hypotheses and underscore the intricate interplay between human societies and their environment in prehistoric times. Exploring the relationship between the extinct fox Dusicyon avus and hunter-gatherers in Patagonia, Argentina, our study delves into ancient burial sites to uncover intriguing connections. Through meticulous analysis of skeletal remains and genetic data, we shed light on dietary habits, potential hybridization with domestic dogs, and the socio-cultural significance of these interactions. Our findings challenge previous hypotheses and underscore the intricate interplay between human societies and their environment in prehistoric times.

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Research The Royal Society, Web page

Journal/
conference: Royal Society Open Science

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Instituto de Evolución, Ecología Histórica y Ambiente (IDEVEA), Oxford University

Funder: G.L. and O.L. were supported by an ERC (Grant ERC-2013-StG-337574-UNDEAD). This work was supported by Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica PICT 2020 2370 (Principal Investigator–C. Abbona). PICT 2019-4447, PICT 2019-2874 and PICT 2021-0891. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript.

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