Two small cubs that died more than 14,000 years ago, were initially considered to be early domesticated dogs. New findings now confirm that these so-called “puppies” were actually wolf cubs. Their final nap, curled up in their den, turned them into scientific time capsules.

The frozen remains of the cubs were discovered in northern Siberia and were so well preserved that researchers could study what they ate, how they lived, and how they died.

Where the wolf cubs were found

The cubs were found about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the village of Tumat in Siberia. One was unearthed in 2011 and the other in 2015, at what is now known as the Syalakh site. Both were buried deep within frozen soil layers, preserved by permafrost alongside mammoth bones that showed signs of having been burned and butchered.

This unusual combination of human activity and frozen remains sparked early speculation that the cubs might have been early dogs, living among humans or scavenging near human settlements. The fact that their fur was black added fuel to the theory.

University of York sheds new light

New research from the University of York reveals that the cubs were not early dogs but wolves. Scientists studied genetic material from the cubs’ stomachs, along with chemical signals in their bones, teeth, and tissue. The data pointed to wolves that had lived wild and free during the Pleistocene.

The cubs were about two months old and still nursing, but they were also eating solid food, including meat from a wooly rhinoceros and a small bird called a wagtail. The presence of undigested rhino skin in one cub’s stomach indicates how recently they had eaten and how abruptly their lives had ended.

Sister wolf cubs lost in a collapse

The cubs showed no signs of injury or attack. Researchers believe they were resting in their den, possibly after feeding, when a landslide or collapse trapped them. This discovery helps us understand the environment at the time and how remarkably similar wolves from more than 14,000 years ago are to modern-day wolves.

Inside the wolf cubs’ stomachs were fossilized remains of plants, suggesting they lived in a varied and rich ecosystem. Despite their proximity to mammoth bones, there was no sign that the cubs ate mammoth meat. Instead, researchers found clear evidence of wooly rhinoceros in their diet.

Bigger wolves, bigger prey?

The idea of wolves hunting wooly rhinos has raised questions about the size and power of ancient wolves compared to modern gray wolves. The study provides insight into the breeding behaviors of the wolves and how they cared for their offspring.

While the Tumat “puppies” are not the key to unlocking the origin of domestic dogs, they are a vital piece of the puzzle. The study leaves an open question about when and where dogs emerged from their wolf ancestors.

Source: Earth.com