The use of tooth marks for new research into identifying and understanding the first domestic dogs in Palaeolithic populations

Abstract

The domestication of wolves is a topic of great interest. To date, the most accepted hypotheses associate this phenomenon to the end of the Upper Palaeolithic, while many propose an earlier date closer towards the Aurignacian. The latter proposal hinges on extensive research using palaeontological, morphometric, biomolecular-isotopic, genetic data and microwear contributing valuable information to the current debates. Nevertheless, few confront the theoretical reasoning behind this process, analysing the sociocultural implications that link humans with canids. Under this premise the current overview considers the motivation behind this process while proposing new lines of investigation that may help confront these questions across the indirect methods using new technologies applied study of tooth marks of the sites.