March 18, 2010
New research shows the first domestication of dogs from wolves took place in the Middle East, not East Asia as previously thought.
This finding supports the invention of agriculture 10,000 years ago and the first interactions of humans with domesticated animals. Researchers found early dog remains dating 12,000 years ago in the Middle East. According to the study published in the journal Nature, wolves were most likely domesticated in the Middle East, and later dogs and wolves crossbred in East Asia.
“I think they have nailed the locale of dog domestication to the Middle East,” said Dr. Stephen O’Brien, an expert on dog genetics.
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