Archaeologists working at the Castillo de Huarmey archaeological site on Peru's northern coast have discovered 1,200-year-old remains of hairless dogs dating back to the Wari Empire period. These findings, preserved by the region's extremely arid desert climate, are of great significance as they provide the first direct physical evidence of the presence of hairless dogs, considered part of Peru's national cultural heritage, within Wari culture.
Dental Absence Reveals Genetic Secret
Among the remains unearthed during excavations, a naturally mummified skull, covered in red ochre—a pigment used to adorn the dead in ancient Peru—is particularly striking, with its ears and skin still visible. Researcher Marta Tomczyk observed during her examination of the dogs' jaw structure that certain teeth had never erupted. Since the gene for hairlessness in dogs is known to also cause tooth agenesis, this anatomical characteristic definitively proved the remains belonged to the Peruvian hairless dog.
Fed Maize Like Children
Isotope analyses conducted on dental and bone samples have revealed surprising details about the lives of these dogs. According to the analysis results, the hairless dogs were fed a diet predominantly of maize during their puppyhood, much like the children of that era. In adulthood, their diet became more varied. This suggests that hairless dog puppies were given special importance in ancient communities, and systematic breeding was likely practiced.
The Mysterious World of the Wari Empire
Castillo de Huarmey was one of the most important administrative and burial complexes of the Wari Empire, which ruled the region between approximately 600 and 1050 CE, about 400 years before the rise of the Inca Empire. Like other mummies previously found near Lima [1], the discoveries at this site shed light on the burial customs of ancient communities in the Andes Mountains. In addition to dogs, remains of sacrificed llamas and alpacas were also found at the site. It was noted that most of the dogs were buried with care, with cut marks found on very few. This indicates that dogs were a valuable part of human life and rituals rather than just a food source. For additional sources and further reading that strengthen this context, see [2] [3].