The phrase “dog is man’s best friend” might be more ancient than we thought.
New research led by scientists from the University of Arizona reveals that humans and canines formed close bonds as early as 12,000 years ago in the Americas.
This discovery sheds light on the deep connection between early humans and the ancestors of modern dogs.
The study, published in Science Advances, analyzed archaeological remains from Alaska and uncovered some of the earliest evidence of human-canine relationships in the Americas.
Early evidence of human-dog bonds
The research team, led by François Lanoë, unearthed a 12,000-year-old canine leg bone in 2018 at Swan Point, an archaeological site in Alaska.
Radiocarbon dating showed the bone came from the end of the Ice Age. Another discovery in 2023—a jawbone from a canine estimated to be 8,100 years old—was found at Hollembaek Hill, a nearby site. Both finds hint at a close relationship between humans and canines during this period.
Chemical analysis of the bones revealed something surprising: the canines had been eating salmon regularly.
At that time, wild canines primarily hunted land animals, not fish. The most likely explanation is that humans were feeding the salmon to these animals, indicating a dependent relationship.
“This is the smoking gun,” said co-author Ben Potter from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. “These canines weren’t catching salmon on their own. Humans were clearly providing it.”
Dogs or tamed wolves?
While the researchers believe these animals behaved like dogs—eating food provided by humans—they may not have been fully domesticated. Genetic testing showed that the bones don’t match the DNA of later dog populations. It’s possible these were tamed wolves rather than the direct ancestors of modern dogs.
“Behaviorally, they were like dogs,” said Lanoë, “but genetically, they’re not related to anything we know today.”
The study raises fascinating questions about how humans and canines first began their partnership. Were these animals true dogs, or were they wolves that humans started taming? Either way, the relationship offered benefits to both species—protection, companionship, and shared resources.
This research is part of a long-standing partnership with Indigenous communities in Alaska’s Tanana Valley, where archaeologists have worked for nearly a century. The team sought permission from the Healy Lake Village Council, representing the Mendas Cha’ag people, before conducting genetic testing on the bones.
“It is little—but it is profound—to get the proper permission and to respect those who live on the land,” said archaeologist Evelynn Combs, a member of the Healy Lake community.
Combs, who grew up in the Tanana Valley, cherishes the connection between her ancestors and their dogs. She recalls her own deep bond with her childhood dog, Rosebud, and sees the ancient remains as a reflection of a timeless relationship.
“I love that we can look back thousands of years and see that humans always had these loyal companions,” said Combs. “It’s a cultural experience that repeats itself across history.”
The discovery at Swan Point and Hollembaek Hill highlights the enduring bond between humans and dogs.
Thousands of years ago, early Americans fed and cared for their canine companions, just as we do today.
This study not only deepens our understanding of the past but also celebrates the timeless connection between people and their four-legged friends.
