Current location:politics >>
Early man's best friend was the fox as the animal was domesticated by humans, research suggests
politics4122People have gathered around
IntroductionNotorious for raiding bins and preying on pets, foxes are widely considered a nuisance.But they used ...
Notorious for raiding bins and preying on pets, foxes are widely considered a nuisance.
But they used to be man's best friend, according to a study. Researchers analysed remains found at an ancient burial site in Patagonia, Argentina dating back to 450AD.
While it contained the skeletons of 18 adults and six children, there was also evidence that an ancient fox species was buried alongside the humans.
Analysis revealed foxes were buried in the same graves, and had shared a similar diet to humans, indicating a close relationship.
The species of fox discovered - Dusicyon avus - was roughly the size of a German shepherd but is now extinct.
Notorious for raiding bins and preying on pets, foxes are widely considered a nuisance (Stock image)
But, according to a study, they once used to be man's best friend (Stock image)
The researchers, which included scientists from the University of Oxford, suggest the fox was potentially a companion pet for hunter-gatherers.
READ MORE: The dog breeds that really ARE man's best friend - so is YOURS on the list?
AdvertisementHowever, they believe the introduction of the modern dog led to their decline as companion animals.
The study, published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, reads: 'The co-burial of humans and foxes is a rare archaeological record worldwide, and suggests a cultural or symbolic significance.
'Although the reasons for its inclusion in a mortuary context remain unclear, the most plausible explanation is that this fox was a valuable companion to the hunter-gatherer groups.
'Its strong bond with human individuals during its life would have been the primary factor for its placement as a grave good after the death of its owners or the people with whom it interacted.'
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Global Graph news portal”。http://papuanewguinea.3elevenboutique.com/content-56b899939.html
Related articles
West Virginia lawmakers approve funding to support students due to FAFSA delays
politicsCHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia students struggling to figure out how to pay for college in o ...
【politics】
Read moreChristian Bale and 10
politicsChristian Bale took a break from filming his new film The Bride to celebrate Mother's Day with his w ...
【politics】
Read moreRooney posts an 18
politicsST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Maggie Flaherty and Denisa Krizova each scored in the second period and Minne ...
【politics】
Read more
Popular articles
- Massachusetts Senate weighs tuition
- Feds accuse Rhode Island of warehousing kids with mental health, developmental disabilities
- Proposed Minnesota Equal Rights Amendment draws rival crowds to Capitol for crucial votes
- Giancarlo Stanton proves he's King of Swing in MLB's latest metric advancements
- Chicago PD star Tracy Spiridakos explains why she is leaving the long
- Major blow in crackdown on airline's sneaky added fees
Latest articles
LINKS
- Yu Darvish extends scoreless innings streak to 25 in Padres' 9
- What a blast to work at NASA. Space agency is sky
- 'The Apprentice,' about a young Donald Trump, premieres in Cannes
- Company wins court ruling to continue development of Michigan factory serving EV industry
- Student fatally shot, suspect detained at Georgia's Kennesaw State University
- Travis Kelce downs whiskey shot on slice of bread at Kelce Jam without Taylor Swift
- Red Lobster seeks bankruptcy protection after closing some restaurants
- NBA playoffs: Edwards leads Wolves to 98
- Rangers are undefeated at .500 to keep World Series champs from a losing record with Bochy
- Supreme Court rejects an appeal from a Canadian man once held at Guantanamo