Archaeologists studying a major Wari site on Peru’s northern coast have identified what may be the earliest physical evidence of Peruvian hairless dogs. The findings offer new insight into how dogs lived alongside humans in one of the Andes’ first large empires, which thrived between 600 and 1050 CE.
The research, led by anthropologist Weronika Tomczyk of Dartmouth College, examined dog remains uncovered at Castillo de Huarmey, a key ceremonial and funerary center. Using zooarchaeology and isotope analysis, researchers reconstructed the diets, movements, and possible roles of at least 20 dogs found at the site.
The remains suggest that dogs were not a uniform group. Instead, they played different roles, ranging from companions to scavengers and possibly working animals. Some were also buried in ways that point to symbolic or ritual importance.
Evidence points to early hairless dogs
Among the animals studied, three were tentatively identified as Peruvian hairless dogs, a breed now recognized as part of Peru’s cultural heritage. The identification is based on a combination of traits, including missing teeth linked to the genetic condition associated with hairlessness.
In one case, preserved skin from a naturally mummified dog showed sparse, light-colored hair, consistent with modern examples of the breed. However, researchers cautioned that such evidence is not definitive, noting that missing teeth alone cannot confirm hairlessness.
Burial contexts added another layer of meaning. A puppy was found buried alongside an elite craftsperson known as the “Master Basketmaker,” while another was placed with a man believed to have served as a tomb guardian. A partial skeleton of an adult dog was also discovered with a teenage individual in a high-status burial.
These findings suggest that some dogs held ceremonial roles. Researchers noted parallels with later Andean beliefs in which dogs were thought to guide the dead to the afterlife.
Diet and care reveal social differences
Isotope analysis showed that most dogs lived locally and depended heavily on human food systems. However, their diets varied. One animal appeared to have consumed food linked to camelid herding or hunting, while others likely survived on household waste.
The most unusual pattern was seen in the suspected hairless dogs. As puppies, their diets closely matched those of human children, indicating they may have received special care early in life. As they aged, their diets became more diverse.
Researchers said the findings suggest possible early breeding practices or distinct treatment of certain animals. The study also argues for a broader understanding of ancient human-animal relationships, noting that dogs at Castillo de Huarmey were integrated into daily life, labor, and ritual.