A groundbreaking study published in the journal Science highlights the long-standing partnership between humans and dogs across Eurasia, dating back at least 20,000 years. Led by Laurent Frantz, a paleogeneticist at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and Queen Mary University of London, this research reveals how the spread of human cultures in the region was closely linked to the movement of specific dog populations.
The international team, comprising scientists from LMU, QMUL, the Kunming Institute of Zoology, Lanzhou University in China, and the University of Oxford, sequenced and analyzed the genomes of 17 ancient dogs from Siberia, East Asia, and the Central Asian Steppe. Notably, this study includes specimens from China for the first time, adding depth to our understanding of the historical relationship between humans and dogs.
Insights from Ancient Genomes
The researchers examined ancient dog remains ranging from 9,700 to 870 years old, alongside publicly available genomes from 57 ancient and 160 modern dogs. The findings indicate that significant cultural transformations over the last 10,000 years—driven by the movements of hunter-gatherers, farmers, and pastoralists—were often accompanied by the migration of dog populations.
One of the most compelling discoveries relates to the Early Bronze Age in China, approximately 4,000 years ago. The introduction of metalworking coincided with the expansion of people from the Eurasian Steppe, who brought their dogs with them. This correlation suggests a longstanding pattern of co-dispersal, where the movement of humans was paralleled by that of their canine companions.
Dr. Lachie Scarsbrook from LMU and Oxford, a lead author of the study, emphasized the significance of these findings. “Traces of these major cultural shifts can be teased out of the genomes of ancient dogs,” he said. This research underscores the cultural importance of dogs, indicating that human societies maintained a distinct sense of ownership over their dogs for at least the past 11,000 years.
The Enduring Partnership
The genetic analysis demonstrates a striking concordance between shifts in dog and human genomes over time, particularly during periods of population turnover. Prof. Frantz noted, “This tight link between human and dog genetics shows that dogs were an integral part of society, whether you were a hunter-gatherer in the Arctic Circle 10,000 years ago or a metalworker in an early Chinese city.”
The study illustrates the remarkable adaptability of dogs within human societies, suggesting that their roles have evolved significantly over millennia, far beyond any other domestic species. The research not only sheds light on the historical co-movement of humans and dogs but also reinforces their importance in shaping cultural identities across diverse regions.
This comprehensive analysis of ancient dog genomes adds a new dimension to our understanding of human-animal relationships throughout history. As researchers continue to explore the depths of these connections, the study serves as a testament to the enduring bond between humans and dogs, a partnership that has stood the test of time.
For more information, refer to the original study: Shao-Jie Zhang et al, Genomic evidence for the Holocene codispersal of dogs and humans across Eastern Eurasia, published in Science (2025). DOI: 10.1126/science.adu2836.
