Unearthing the secrets of the past often leads to unexpected discoveries. In a recent excavation at the Cañada Seca site in Argentina, a team of archaeologists, anthropologists, and evolutionary specialists stumbled upon something remarkable – possible evidence of a domesticated fox living alongside humans 1,500 years ago.
The findings, published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, shed light on a potential human-animal relationship that predates the widespread domestication of dogs. While canines have been companions for millennia, this discovery suggests a fascinating possibility – were humans in South America forging bonds with a different member of the fox family?
The Cañada Seca site, located about 210 kilometers from Mendoza, Argentina, has yielded a wealth of archaeological treasures since its discovery in 1991. So far, the remains of 24 hunter-gatherers from roughly 1,500 years ago have been unearthed. But during a recent excavation, something different caught the researchers’ eye – the bones of a fox buried alongside one of the human skeletons.
Initially, the fox remains were classified as belonging to the Lycalopex genus, a common type of South American fox. However, further analysis revealed a surprise – the creature was actually a Dusicyon avus, an extinct species once native to the region.
This revelation piqued the researchers’ curiosity. They delved deeper, analyzing the fox’s nitrogen and carbon isotopes. These natural signatures act as a dietary record, revealing what an organism consumed. The results were intriguing – the fox’s isotopic makeup closely resembled that of the human it was buried with, indicating a diet rich in plant material.
This dietary similarity stands out because foxes are natural carnivores, with meat forming a significant part of their typical diet. The shared plant-based diet suggests a close association between the fox and the human, possibly hinting at the fox being fed by humans or scavenging scraps from their meals.
Based on these findings, the research team proposes a captivating scenario – the Dusicyon avus might have been a domesticated companion or even a pet. This potential bond between human and fox may have served various purposes, offering companionship, pest control, or even early warning systems in the face of danger.
The Dusicyon avus’ extinction, which coincided with the arrival of Europeans and the introduction of European dogs to the region, adds another layer to the story. It’s possible that the new canines displaced the existing human-fox relationships, leading to the Dusicyon avus’ disappearance.
While further research is needed to solidify these conclusions, the discovery at Cañada Seca offers a fascinating glimpse into a potential human-animal relationship that challenges our understanding of domestication in the Americas. It suggests that the desire for companionship and connection with other creatures may have extended beyond the realm of traditional canines for some ancient societies. As archaeologists continue to unearth the past, we might uncover even more stories of unexpected bonds forged between humans and the animal world.