In an astonishing archaeological find, scientists have unearthed the remarkably well-preserved remains of a puppy dating back 18,000 years.
Dubbed Dogor, the ancient pup was discovered buried in the tundra near the Indigirka River in northeastern Russia.
If you prefer not to read the full story,
Skip ahead to watch the video ->
Despite millennia in the icy grasp of permafrost, Dogor’s intact body, complete with thick fur, muzzle, and even whiskers and eyelashes, has given researchers unprecedented opportunity to delve into the past.
Initial analysis suggests that Dogor was less than two months old at its demise. Using a fragment of rib bone, scientists extracted DNA, revealing that Dogor was male. However, the precise classification of this specimen as either a dog or a wolf remains elusive.
Love Dalén and Dave Stanton, researchers from Sweden, propose that Dogor could be the earliest confirmed dog, offering invaluable insights into the process of wolf domestication.
Dalén expressed astonishment at the level of preservation, highlighting the significance of the find in understanding genetic evolution during a crucial period 18,000 years ago.
The discovery challenges scientists to unravel the intricate relationship between ancient canines and their human companions.
Dalén, a professor of evolutionary genetics, emphasized the difficulty in classifying Dogor at a pivotal point in the evolutionary timeline.
Dogor’s pristine condition owes much to the frozen environment in which it was interred. Nestled within a tunnel carved into the permafrost, the puppy remained untouched by time until its recent discovery.
This pristine preservation offers researchers a rare opportunity to contribute to ongoing debates surrounding prehistoric canines.
Given the uncertainty surrounding Dogor’s species, Russian scientists aptly named the ancient pup “Dogor,” a playful nod to its ambiguous identity as either a dog or a wolf.
The significance of this discovery is not lost on experts like Dr. Sergey Fedorov, who eagerly anticipates further test results to unlock the mysteries of Dogor’s lineage.
As scientists await the outcome of additional tests, the awe-inspiring tale of Dogor serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring mysteries buried within the frozen landscapes of our planet.
With each careful excavation, researchers uncover fragments of our shared history, shedding light on the complex tapestry of life on Earth.
Read more Dogs News.
