In 2011, construction workers in Siberia unearthed a mummified dog, initially believed to be relatively modern. However, radiocarbon dating revealed it to be approximately 14,000 years old. The dog, named “Tumat,” was remarkably well-preserved due to the permafrost, including its fur, internal organs, and even brain.
Further excavations at the same site yielded another mummified puppy of similar age. Scientists conducted DNA analysis on both puppies, initially attempting to determine if they were dogs or wolves. While the DNA sequencing was not definitive enough to categorize them as either species, it suggested they represent a population close to the divergence point between dogs and wolves, potentially a common ancestor.
Researchers from around the world, including those from Sweden, Russia, and the United States, have been involved in the ongoing study of the Tumat puppies. The exceptional preservation allows for detailed examination of their anatomy and genetics, providing insights into the evolutionary history of dogs and their relationship to wolves. Scientists hope to extract even more information, including details about their diet, health, and environment, to further illuminate the origins of canine domestication. The Tumat puppies offer a unique window into the lives of animals from the Late Pleistocene epoch.
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