Ancient Peruvians loved their dogs

Archaeologists in Peru have uncovered the mummified remains of more than 40 dogs buried with blankets and food alongside their human masters.

The discovery was made during the excavation of two of the ancient Chiribaya people who lived in southern Peru between AD 900 and AD 1350. . .

The Chiribaya dog looked rather like a small golden retriever with a medium-sized snout, beige colouring, and long hair.

From the BBC. Scientific American has much the same writeup, with the addition of this:

Researchers at the Mallqui Center of biological archeology, who have led the excavations, teamed up with the country's Kennel Club to study these ancient dogs' traits, noting their type of paw or the color of their fur.

Ultimately, their goal is to convince the Belgium-based World Canine Organization that the dogs buried in Peru's Ilo valley represent a new and distinct breed, indigenous to South America.

Posted by David on October 17, 2006 6:12 PM