Ancient Fox Skeleton Found Buried with Humans in South America
In a groundbreaking discovery, archaeologists have unearthed the nearly complete skeleton of an extinct fox buried alongside human remains in northwestern Patagonia. This finding sheds light on the close relationship between ancient humans and canines in South America.
The fox, identified as Dusicyon avus, lived roughly 1,500 years ago and was buried at the Cañada Seca burial site in central Argentina. The site, accidentally discovered by local clay miners in 1991, contained the bones of at least 24 human individuals and artifacts like necklace beads, lip ornaments, and spear points.
Researchers, led by zooarchaeologist Ophélie Lebrasseur from the University of Oxford, conducted genetic analyses on the fox’s bones to confirm its identity. They compared the ancient DNA with complete genomes from domestic dogs and extant South American canids, strengthening the case that the animal buried at the site was indeed D. avus.
Contrary to previous theories, the study found that the extinct foxes were genetically distinct from domestic dogs and were not likely to have hybridized with them. Instead, factors like human influence on the environment and climate change may have contributed to the species’ demise.
The discovery also revealed that the fox’s diet included maize-like plant material, similar to the diet of the humans buried at the site. This suggests a close relationship between the fox and ancient humans, possibly developed through systematic feeding.
While the fox may have been tamed by early hunter-gatherers, Dr. Lebrasseur believes it was not kept as a pet in the modern sense. The findings add to a growing body of evidence that foxes and other native canids were integral parts of ancient South American communities, serving as companions and possibly even sources of food.
This groundbreaking study highlights the complex and fascinating relationship between ancient humans and canines in South America, providing new insights into the domestication of animals and the cultural practices of early societies.
