We’ve been best friends with dogs for thousands of years. Here’s how it began
Summary
Humans began keeping dogs as companions at least 15,800 years ago, according to new genetic evidence from ancient remains in Turkey and Britain. The article traces how dogs became part of hunting, burial rituals, and religious traditions across ancient civilisations from the Rigveda to Egypt, Mesopotamia and Greece.
Key Points
- New genetic evidence from ancient remains suggests humans kept dogs as companions at least 15,800 years ago.
- Dogs spread across Europe and Anatolia alongside migrating human communities during the Ice Age.
- Ancient texts and religions linked dogs to death, the afterlife, healing and protection, including in the Rigveda and Kukur Tihar traditions.
- Across many civilisations, dogs were revered as sacred animals, guides to the dead or guardians of the underworld.
