This 18,000-year-old dog, named Dogor, was found in 2018 by Love Dalén and Dave Stanton

In 2018, an astonishing discovery was made by Love Dalén and Dave Stanton that has captivated the scientific community and animal lovers alike. They stumbled upon the remains of an 18,000-year-old dog, affectionately named Dogor. This incredible find has shed new light on the early history of canines and has sparked numerous questions about the evolution and domestication of dogs.

Love Dalén, a professor of evolutionary genetics at the Swedish Museum of Natural History, and Dave Stanton, an explorer and researcher, were conducting an expedition in the remote Siberian region of Yakutia when they made the extraordinary discovery. The frozen remains of Dogor were found preserved in the permafrost, allowing scientists to study the ancient dog in remarkable detail.

The initial examination of Dogor’s remains revealed a well-preserved body, complete with fur, teeth, and internal organs. This level of preservation provided scientists with a unique opportunity to investigate the genetic makeup and physical characteristics of an ancient dog. It also presented a chance to determine the relationship between Dogor and modern dog breeds.

The research team collected samples from Dogor’s remains and conducted a series of genetic analyses. These tests aimed to extract DNA and compare it to that of modern-day dogs. The results were fascinating and unexpected. While Dogor’s genetic material showed similarities to both wolves and dogs, it did not neatly fit into either category. This finding led scientists to speculate that Dogor could represent an early stage in the domestication process of canines.

The significance of Dogor’s discovery lies in its potential to reshape our understanding of dog domestication. The prevailing theory suggests that dogs were first domesticated from wolves around 15,000 years ago. However, Dogor’s age challenges this timeline and suggests that the process of domestication might have started earlier than previously believed.

The discovery of Dogor also highlights the importance of the Siberian region in uncovering ancient history. The area’s permafrost acts as a natural freezer, preserving ancient remains for thousands of years. This frozen time capsule has provided scientists with invaluable insights into the past, enabling them to study and learn from creatures that roamed the Earth long before our time.

Dogor’s story has captured the public’s imagination, and its discovery continues to be a topic of intrigue and fascination. Scientists are diligently working to extract more information from Dogor’s remains, including further genetic analysis and studying its diet and lifestyle. With each new revelation, we inch closer to understanding the complex relationship between humans and their oldest companions, shedding light on the remarkable journey that led to the modern-day dog.

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