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Archaeologists in Peru have unearthed the remains of Peruvian hairless dogs more than 1,200 years old at Castillo de Huarmey, a former Wari Empire administrative and funerary centre. Among them are a naturally mummified dog and puppies buried alongside high-ranking individuals. According to the study published in the Journal of Anthropological Archaeology, these discoveries shed light on the relationship between humans and their dogs well before the rise of the Incas.
A Wari site on the desert coast
The Castillo de Huarmey complex lies about 190 miles north of Lima, on Peru's Pacific coast. Covering 110 acres, it served as an administrative and funerary centre for the Wari Empire, which was active there between 600 and 1050 CE, roughly four centuries before the rise of the Incas.
The site has already yielded major finds. In 2012, researchers excavated the first intact Wari elite tomb, containing the remains of 58 high-status women, six human sacrifices and around 1,300 objects. In 2022, burials of elite artisans accompanied by gold, silver and bronze tools were identified nearby.
A naturally mummified hairless dog
Excavations in the northern section of the great ceremonial area uncovered three sets of canine remains. The most striking is a naturally mummified skull that retains hairless skin and ears still attached. The skull had been painted with cinnabar, a bright red pigment frequently used in ancient Peruvian funerary practices.
A second, larger dog skull was also found, along with the nearly complete skeleton of a naturally mummified male dog, placed in a shallow pit. The researchers initially assumed a recent burial, possibly dating from the period of looting, before evidence contradicted this hypothesis.
Missing teeth reveal the animals' identity
What made it possible to identify these animals was the absence of certain teeth. The first premolars, and sometimes the last molars, had never erupted and had not fallen out during the animal's lifetime. The scientific literature links this trait to the same gene responsible for the absence of hair in these dogs, which led the researchers to conclude that they were indeed Peruvian hairless dogs.
To go further, the team applied standard zooarchaeological methods and isotopic analysis of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and strontium. Isotopes preserved in teeth and bones provide information on diet, drinking water and the animal's movements. Teeth, which develop quickly in puppies, reflect its youth, while bone mainly reflects the last year of its life.
Puppies and dogs buried with elites
In total, the excavations produced 341 dog bone fragments, representing at least 19 individuals, in addition to the complete mummy. A puppy about 6 to 8 weeks old was found with an elite artisan nicknamed the "Master Basketmaker". Other remains come from an adult dog buried in the site's palace and a puppy associated with a man identified as XY, probably sacrificed to guard the tomb.
The treatment of dogs was not uniform. Some were deliberately buried, perhaps because of a particular role in Wari society, while others were found among refuse. Only a few bones bear cut marks, suggesting that these animals were not commonly eaten.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Peruvian hairless dog?
The Peruvian hairless dog is an indigenous breed recognisable by its slender body, pointed ears and lack of hair. It frequently appears in the pottery of ancient Andean coastal societies. It is today considered part of Peru's cultural heritage.
Where can you see Wari civilisation remains?
Wari remains are displayed in several Peruvian museums, notably in Lima and in the Ayacucho region, the heartland of this culture. Decorated ceramics, which often depict animals and figures, help illustrate their art. Check opening hours before any visit.
Why are the mummies so well preserved in Peru?
The extremely arid climate of Peru's Pacific coast has preserved materials that normally decay, such as hair, bones, tissues, leather and pigments. This explains the exceptional quality of the canine mummies from Castillo de Huarmey.
How do archaeologists know a dog belonged to a particular breed?
Researchers compare the anatomical features of remains with those of known breeds. In this case, the absence of teeth linked to the hairlessness gene guided the identification. Isotopic analyses complement these clues by providing information on the animals' diet and movements.
Sources
Original summary written with the help of artificial intelligence from the sources cited, checked automatically, then translated from the French original. Information and quotations belong to their authors. Read the French original.
