Context:

The discovery of two well-preserved ice age 'puppies' in Siberia, known as the Tumat Puppies, revealed them to be 14,000-year-old wolf pups rather than early domesticated dogs. Genetic and chemical analysis of their remains, including gut contents, showed no evidence of human interaction, suggesting they were part of a wolf pack that hunted large prey like juvenile woolly rhinos. The pups likely perished when their den collapsed, possibly due to a landslide. This research contributes to understanding the environment and life of ice age animals, similar to modern wolves, while highlighting the ongoing challenge of pinpointing when dogs were first domesticated. The study emphasizes the complexity of distinguishing between ancient wolves and early dogs due to the fragmented archaeological record and the need for multi-disciplinary approaches in such research.

Dive Deeper:

• Two well-preserved ice age 'puppies' found in Northern Siberia, initially thought to be early domesticated dogs, were determined to be 2-month-old wolf pups based on genetic data and chemical analysis of their remains.

• The pups' last meal, consisting of woolly rhinoceros meat and small bird feathers, as well as their sudden death in a den collapse, suggest they lived independently of humans and were part of a wolf pack feeding on large prey.

• The discovery sheds light on the everyday life of ice age wolves, revealing their diet and habitat, which included diverse vegetation and a dry, mild environment, akin to modern wolves.

• The study highlights the difficulties in determining the origins of dog domestication, as no direct evidence links these wolf pups to human interaction, and emphasizes the need for solid evidence in claims about early dogs.

• The absence of mammoth remains in the pups' diet and their rearing in a den by their pack further support the conclusion that they were wolves, not domesticated dogs, challenging previous assumptions about their identity.

• The research underscores the challenges in using fragmented archaeological records to differentiate between wild wolves and early domestic dogs, necessitating a holistic approach combining archaeological, morphological, genetic, and ecological evidence.

• The findings contribute to the broader understanding of ice age wolves and the complex process of dog domestication, which remains a key question in archaeology and evolutionary biology.