Overview
- Researchers analyzed 3D scans of 643 ancient and modern canid skulls spanning 50,000 years, identifying the first recognizably domestic skulls at Veretye, Russia, about 11,000 years ago.
- Dogs diversified rapidly in the Mesolithic–Neolithic, reaching roughly half of modern cranial shape and size range, though extreme brachycephalic or elongated forms seen today were absent.
- Milestones include overall skull-size reduction between 9,700–8,700 years ago, rising shape variability from around 8,200 years ago, and increased size variance by roughly 7,700 years ago.
- Early domestic morphologies appear across regions, with examples in the Americas (about 8,500 years ago) and Asia (about 7,500 years ago), reflecting varied roles in human societies.
- A complementary study sequenced 17 ancient dogs from East and Central Eurasia, supporting rapid early diversification while leaving the earliest domestication timing and location unresolved.