Excavations at the Castillo de Huarmey archaeological site on Peru's northern coast have revealed one of the most intriguing companionships of the ancient world. Archaeologists discovered the 1,200-year-old remains of hairless dogs dating back to the Wari Empire, which dominated the region approximately 400 years before the rise of the Inca Empire.
Genetic Links and Missing Teeth
The most remarkable find among the remains is a naturally mummified skull that still retains patches of skin and ears. Researchers observed that several teeth in the canine skeletons had never erupted. Subsequent examinations proved that this dental agenesis stems from the same genetic mutation responsible for hairlessness in the modern Peruvian Hairless Dog (Peruvian Inca Orchid). This finding demonstrates that the breed has maintained its genetic characteristics for over a millennium.
Social Roles and Dietary Habits
A total of 341 bone fragments from 19 different dogs were analyzed at the excavation site. The findings suggest that these dogs did not serve a single role in ancient society. While some dogs were carefully buried within palace complexes or alongside elite artisans, such as the individual known as the 'Master Basket Weaver,' others were found in refuse areas, indicating that attitudes toward these animals were variable even during that period.
Sharing the Human Table
Isotope analysis conducted on the bones and teeth provided surprising insights into the dogs' dietary habits. It was revealed that the ancient dogs consumed significant amounts of maize, mirroring the diet of the contemporary human population. This suggests that the dogs were not merely hunters or guards but were integrated into the family unit, feeding on the same staples as their owners. Radiocarbon dating confirmed that the mummified male dog is the oldest specimen of its kind ever discovered at Castillo de Huarmey.
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