“A rare discovery.” An animal that was man’s best friend before dogs

ARGENTINA – A team of archaeologists has uncovered an animal that was man’s best friend before dogs.

The study found that an extinct fox in Argentina may have previously played this role, as it shared a “strong bond” with humans.

Analysis of skeletal remains, dating back 1,500 years at a burial site in Patagonia, revealed that Dusicyon avus (also known as the Falkland Islands wolf) was a “valuable companion to hunting packs”.

The remains included the bones of one fox, as well as human remains belonging to 21 different individuals, in what scientists described as a “rare and unusual discovery.”

The team said the findings represent a “unique case” of a partnership between humans and wild foxes in South America.

He explained that the lack of tear marks on the bones indicates that humans did not hunt D. avus for food.

“There are many factors that led to the fox being identified as a companion or pet rather than as part of the diet of humans,” said study author Dr Ophélie Lebrasseur, from the University of Oxford’s School of Archaeology.

Scientists say that the body mass of D. avus was approximately 10 to 15 kg, equivalent to the size of a German shepherd dog.

The archaeological record indicates that D. avus became extinct about 500 years ago for unclear reasons.

The study was published in the journal Royal Society Open Science.

Source: Independent