Current location:World Wander news portal > opinions
Early man's best friend was the fox as the animal was domesticated by humans, research suggests
World Wander news portal2024-05-08 22:48:11【opinions】8People 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.'
Address of this article:http://coralseaislands.whetstonetavern.com/content-67e199927.html
Very good!(99)
Related articles
- How England's new single
- What time does Coachella 2024 start? What to know about the music festival.
- Ange Postecoglou admits he has not watched back Tottenham's humiliating 6
- PLAYER RATINGS: Scores revealed for DIRE Liverpool stars who flopped in first leg against Atalanta
- New Mexico high court upholds man's 3 murder convictions in 2018 shooting deaths near Dixon
- The Golden Bachelor couple Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist are getting a divorce
- In Pictures: Rare celestial event totally eclipsed by thick cloud in Hong Kong
- Atletico Madrid star reveals the footballers'
- Met Gala 2024: Iris Law commands attention in a racy sheer black Versace dress and wet
- Katie Holmes cuts a casual figure in a t
Popular articles
Recommended
Major coup for Victoria Beckham as one of her gowns appears at the Met Gala for the first time
Man United promote 18
Government needs to 'step up' and support rainbow community amid protest
Jeffrey Dean Morgan cuddles up to Hilarie Burton as loved
RICHARD LITTLEJOHN: Welcome to Balti Towers, Basil Fawlty's new asylum hotel...
Immigration declines nearly half of study visa applications from India so far this year
Rachael Blackmore to place in BOTH rides on Day 2 of Aintree boosted to 11/4
Public servants on edge over nerve
Links
- Gazelle with SIX LEGS is photographed in Israel
- UFO spotted shooting through clouds over Texas during the solar eclipse... do YOU know what it is?
- I lifted 200kg weights two days before giving birth
- The hotel room on WHEELS! Self
- Hannah Elizabeth puts on a busty display in an off
- Spotify hikes its prices for millions of UK customers: Premium plans jump by up to 13%
- Is there anything Ozempic can't do? Now weight
- Lazy or genius? It's the gadget that's becoming a must
- What's behind first China
- How Los Angeles police are fighting back against organized retail theft