Was an extinct fox once man's best friend?

[Judi Lynn]

7 hours ago
By Helen Briggs,
Environment correspondent



There are more than 10 species of South American fox, including the grey fox

Our ancestors may have kept foxes as pets long before domestic dogs came on the scene.

Archaeological evidence suggests ancient human societies in South America revered foxes to such an extent that they were buried next to them.

Scientists were surprised to find a fox buried in a human grave dating back 1,500 years in Patagonia, Argentina.

They think the most likely explanation is that the fox was a highly valued companion or pet.

DNA analysis shows the animal dined with prehistoric hunter gatherers and was part of the inner circle of the camp.

More:
https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/businessreview/2024/04/10/history-offers-argentina-a-cautionary-tale-on-dollarisation/

[Judi Lynn]

1. Foxes were man's best friend before dogs arrived, archaeologists claim

Foxes were man’s best friend before dogs arrived, archaeologists claim
Remains at a burial site in Patagonia suggests that Dusicyon avus was a valuable companion to hunter-gatherers

Nilima Marshall
43 minutes ago

Archaeologists have revealed an animal that was man’s best friend before the humble dog.
An extinct fox in Argentina may have once been in that role, sharing a “strong bond” with humans, research suggests.

Analysis of 1,500-year-old skeletal remains at a burial site in Patagonia suggests that Dusicyon avus – also known as Falkland Islands wolf – was “a valuable companion to the hunter-gatherer groups”.

The fox bones belong to a single animal while the human remains come from 21 different individuals, in what scientists described as “a very rare and unusual find”.

The team said the findings, published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, represents “a unique case” of partnership between a human and a wild South American fox.

Lack of cut marks on the bones suggest D. avus was not hunted by humans for food, the scientists said.

More:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/human-pet-fox-dogs-falkland-islands-wolf-b2526306.html

[Timeflyer]

2. Asian fox spirit legends reflect human fascination with foxes.

In Akira Kurosawa's movie "Dreams," there's a mesmerizing scene of a fox wedding at the beginning.