Dingoes were domesticated and honored 2,000 years ago in Australia

2023-10-23 11:43:03

Jaw and teeth of an elderly dingo buried at Curracurrang. – LOUKAS KOUNGOULOS

MADRID, 23 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The wild dingo, an ancient lineage of dog found in Australia, was domesticated by the Australian aborigines and They were even buried alongside humans 2,000 years ago

New research led by experts from the Australian National University and the University of Western Australia examined remains at the Curracurrang archaeological site, south of Sydneywhere radiocarbon dating of dingo bones reveals a close relationship with humans.

“Not all dingoes in the camp received burial rites, but in all areas where burials are recorded, the process and methods of disposal are identical or nearly identical to those associated with human rites in the same area,” said it’s a statement Dr. Loukas Koungoulos, principal investigator. “This reflects the close bond between people and dingoes and his almost human condition“.

However, the burials were not the only sign that Australia’s early people domesticated wild dingoes, as badly worn teeth found at the site suggest a diet rich in large bones, probably from remains of human meals.

Researchers also identified remains of dingoes of various ages at the site, from puppies to animals aged six to eight years. This shows that First Nations people not only cared for young dingoes before they returned to the wild, but They built much more substantial relationships, the researchers argued.

“These findings mark a important advance in our understanding of the relationship between Australia’s first peoples and dingoes“said co-author Professor Susan O’Connor.

“When Europeans settled in Australia, the link between dingoes and indigenous people was deep-rooted. This is well known to indigenous people and has been documented by observers.

“Our work shows that they had long-standing relationships before European colonization, not just the transitory and temporary partnerships recorded during the colonial era.”

The research is published in PLOS One.