Dog Domestication and Dietary Patterns in the Middle Holocene

Isotope studies of dog diets help to move the study of dog domestication from simply discovering dog’s origins to exploring this unique interaction between dogs and humans in the Middle Holocene (Losey et al, 2013). The dietary patterns of humans during the Holocene in Cis-Baikal were determined by using carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses of the human skeletal remains and by the faunal remains from habitation sites. It was concluded that these Middle Holocene foragers relied on terrestrial game, such as deer, and the region’s freshwater fauna, such as riverine, fish, and Lake Baikal seal (Losey et al, 2013). For some background on the dog remains that were studied for dietary and temporal evidence, they were analyzed from two different sub-regions

The canids from these sites were all studied from past projects from when they had been excavated as early as 63 years prior to these studies (Losey et al, 2013). In the Angara/South Baikal region, variability in the nitrogen isotopes of both canids and humans points to the contribution of aquatic foods and faunal collections from this region, such as deer, to both of their diets. Diets of the humans and dogs of the Priol’khon’e region were variable as well, they had much reliance on local aquatic foods though. But, there were also differences in the diets between dogs and humans, possibly because of dog’s consumption of fish and mammal bones and more internal organs (Losey et al, 2013). Overall though, the similarities of their diets indicates the closeness in which the two groups lived and worked. Dogs in these settings most likely had several roles; spanning from companion, protector, and hunting accomplice (Losey et al, 2013). These titles would sound familiar to a modern-day dog owner. Additionally, a Ust’-Khaita canid, from the Angara River region, had a punctured cranium near the suture between its right parietal and its temporal bones (Losey et al,

Even if they did not see dogs as part of their family, early people of Central Asia understood the power that a dog holds just like modern day dog owners and lovers do. They took the time and energy that a proper burial took and gifted it to the dogs that had died. Evidence suggests that people thought of dogs as having a soul and an afterlife, and they were compassionate enough towards the dogs to ensure that they were taken care of after death. Mortuary traditions in this region, such as Kitoi, include being buried with important objects from one’s life, and dog were given this same treatment and respect, which suggested humans were able to see their connection with these animals. Evidence from their diets proves the close interaction between the two and front that their roles can be suggested. Dog’s remains also indicate a human’s care for an injured dog in Cis Baikal. But with great importance, dogs were buried in the same burial pit as the humans with whom they lived their often short lives. As a dog lover, one can only hope these dogs were loved and happy, and while this cannot be explicitly proved, much evidence points to these Middle Holocene dogs having a respected life. Thousands of years later in 9th century Roman people were buried at Yasmina cemetery in