A recent study has uncovered that humans and dogs have co-migrated across Eurasia for at least 20,000 years, reflecting a deep-rooted partnership through significant cultural transformations. Led by Laurent Frantz, a paleogeneticist from the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and Queen Mary University of London, this research highlights how the spread of human populations was often accompanied by specific dog breeds.
The study, published in the journal Science, involved an international collaboration that included researchers from the Kunming Institute of Zoology, Lanzhou University, and the University of Oxford. Scientists sequenced and analyzed genomes from 17 ancient dogs sourced from Siberia, East Asia, and the Central Asian Steppe. Notably, the research featured specimens from China for the first time, adding depth to understanding the historical relationship between humans and dogs.
Tracing Cultural Shifts Over Millennia
Throughout the past 10,000 years, Eurasia has experienced significant cultural shifts driven by the movements of hunter-gatherers, farmers, and pastoralists. The dog specimens in this study were excavated from archaeological sites dating between 9,700 and 870 years old. In addition to the ancient samples, the researchers analyzed publicly available genomes from 57 ancient and 160 modern dogs to provide a comprehensive view of genetic shifts.
A comparison of the genomes revealed a striking correlation between genetic changes in both dogs and humans. This link was particularly evident during the Early Bronze Age in China, approximately 4,000 years ago, a time marked by the introduction of metalworking. The findings suggest that as people migrated from the Eurasian Steppe into Western China, they brought their dogs along, signifying an enduring bond.
The researchers traced the co-movement of humans and dogs back at least 11,000 years, when northern Eurasian hunter-gatherers exchanged dogs closely related to today’s Siberian Huskies. According to Dr. Lachie Scarsbrook from LMU and Oxford, “Traces of these major cultural shifts can be teased out of the genomes of ancient dogs.” This research underscores the cultural significance of dogs, indicating that humans maintained a distinct sense of ownership over their canines for millennia.
The Lasting Impact of Human-Dog Relationships
Prof. Laurent Frantz emphasized the integral role of dogs throughout human history. “This tight link between human and dog genetics shows that dogs were an integral part of society, whether you were a hunter-gatherer in the Arctic Circle 10,000 years ago or a metalworker in an early Chinese city,” he stated. This enduring partnership illustrates the versatility and adaptability of dogs in various societal roles, setting them apart from other domesticated species.
The research sheds light on the importance of understanding the historical contexts of human-animal relationships, particularly in the face of significant cultural evolution. As the study concludes, it reaffirms the profound connection between humans and dogs, a relationship that has persisted through time and continues to shape societies across the globe.
For further details, the complete study can be accessed in Science: Shao-Jie Zhang et al, “Genomic evidence for the Holocene codispersal of dogs and humans across Eastern Eurasia,” DOI: 10.1126/science.adu2836.
