Dogs first domesticated in Europe, study says
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How dogs came to be domesticated – Scientists suggest in a new study that dogs were first domesticated in Europe many thousands of years ago. This is the head of a Pleistocene wolf from the Trou des Nutons cave in Belgium, estimated to be 26,000 years old. This was a particularly large wolf species.
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How dogs came to be domesticated – The head of a Palaeolithic dog from the Goyet cave in Belgium, thought to be 36,000 years old. Researchers believe the species that this fossil represents was an ancient sister-group to all modern dogs and wolves. They believe the species was less likely to be a direct ancestor.
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How dogs came to be domesticated – Mandible of a dog from the Oberkassel site in Germany, approximately 14,700 years old.
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How dogs came to be domesticated – This fossil specimen is from a dog burial site in Greene County, Illinois, and is estimated to be 8,500 years old.
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How dogs came to be domesticated – Another view of fossils from a dog burial site in Greene County, Illinois, thought to be 8,500 years old.
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How dogs came to be domesticated – Two dogs, seen today: Higgins, left, and Albi.
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