Current location:style >>
Early man's best friend was the fox as the animal was domesticated by humans, research suggests
style88434People 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 Gaze news portal”。http://isleofman.adventistmissionjapan.org/news-23f899975.html
Related articles
Mohammad Mokhber: Who is Iran’s acting president?
styleDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s first Vice President Mohammad Mokhber was appointed as act ...
【style】
Read moreSky is back online following a five
styleIt's one of the most popular broadband networks in the UK, but Sky experienced technical issues this ...
【style】
Read morePiece of 5,800lb battery pallet tossed from NASA's ISS crashes through Florida home
styleA piece of metal came crashing through a home in Florida that is believed to be from a 5,800-pound b ...
【style】
Read more
Popular articles
- Russian theater director and playwright go on trial over a play authorities say justifies terrorism
- How community groups helped hundreds of migrants bused in from Texas
- I put my night sweats down to early menopause
- I found BUGS wriggling in my Sainsbury's risotto rice
- Baby Reindeer's real
- Pay offer a 'significant loss' to frontline officers
Latest articles
Jon Wysocki dead at 53: Staind drummer passes away
London restaurant transforms into Charlie and the Chocolate factory
What's behind first China
Outrage as Tesla starts shipping $3,000 Cybertruck tent that looks nothing like as advertised
OpenAI pauses ChatGPT voice after Scarlett Johansson comparisons
The View host Sara Haines REFUSES to say OJ Simpson's name in the wake of his death
LINKS
- Meghan Markle models 'love like a mother' t
- US sanctions fundraisers for extremist West Bank settlers who commit violence against Palestinians
- UN refugee agency tells Cyprus to stick to the law in its efforts at sea to thwart refugee boats
- Google is combining its Android software and Pixel hardware divisions to more broadly integrate AI
- The US attempts a new military deal with Niger in a last ditch effort to stay
- Eric Bana gets animated during AFL game between the St Kilda Saints and the Western Bulldogs
- Dutch soccer club Vitesse docked points and relegated during probe of Russian ties to Abramovich
- She means business! Rita Ora steps out in chic tailored three
- Has Salman Rushdie changed after his stabbing? Well, he feels about 25, the author tells AP
- NOT REAL NEWS: A look at what didn't happen this week