Dogs became man's best friend far earlier than thought, scientists find

BBC News
March 25, 2026
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Scientists determined dogs were domesticated far earlier than previously believed based on a jawbone discovered in Somerset.

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Scientists have determined that dogs became domesticated far earlier than previously believed, based on a jawbone discovered in a Somerset cave. The artifact provides archaeological evidence that rewrites the timeline of human-canine companionship. The finding suggests the domestication process began earlier in human history than genetic and fossil records have previously indicated. Archaeological discoveries like this one help researchers understand how and when wolves transitioned into the domesticated animals that became central to human societies. The discovery could prompt a broader reassessment of the archaeological record for other evidence of early dog domestication.

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