A team of archaeologists and scientists has reexamined the famous Tumat puppies, which were discovered in Siberia in 2011. The researchers found that the dogs were not domesticated wolves, but rather female wolf siblings. The discovery was made through a genetic analysis and study of the remains, which revealed they dated back to approximately 14,000 years ago.
The Tumat puppies were well-preserved due to being buried alive by a landslide, which also explained their dark black fur. Initial research had suggested that the black fur was caused by a unique mutation in dogs, but the new study found this trait may have originated from ancient wolves as well.
Further analysis of the remains revealed evidence of a varied diet, including woolly rhinoceros tissue and milk, suggesting that early wolves may have been larger than previously thought. The researchers also found plant material in the guts of the wolf pups, indicating their mother likely raised multiple offspring, with some possibly escaping or still buried nearby.
This study provides new insights into the evolution and biology of ancient wolves, challenging previous assumptions about domesticated dogs and offering a fresh understanding of this fascinating discovery.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2025-06-ancient-tumat-puppies-wolves-early.html