10 Amazing Archeological Discoveries Made by Dogs
Dogs have been man’s best friend for thousands of years, and their loyalty and intelligence have made them valuable companions in various fields. Archaeology is no exception, as dogs have been instrumental in making some of the most amazing discoveries of our time. In this article, we’ll explore 10 of the most incredible archaeological discoveries made by dogs.
10. The Pompeii Ruins
In 1748, a group of explorers discovered the ruins of Pompeii, one of the most significant archaeological finds in history. But it was their faithful dog, a greyhound named Scylla, who first led them to the site by barking at a mound of rubble.[10]
9. The Prehistoric Cave Art of Altamira
In 1879, a Spanish landowner stumbled upon one of the most incredible prehistoric cave art sites in the world: the caves of Altamira. But it was his dog, a mutt named Robot, who first discovered the cave entrance.[9]
8. The Roman Fort at Saalburg
In 1900, archaeologists in Germany discovered the remains of a Roman fort at Saalburg, dating back to the 1st century AD. But it was their trusty dog, Caesar, who first alerted them to the site by digging up a Roman helmet.[8]
7. The Roopkund Lake Skeletons
In 1942, a British forest ranger discovered a mysterious lake in the Indian Himalayas that was filled with human skeletons. But it wasn’t until 2004 that a team of archaeologists was able to fully investigate the site, thanks in part to the help of a sniffer dog named Bingo.[7]
6. The Viking Ship Burial
In 2019, archaeologists in Norway discovered a Viking ship burial, one of only a few ever found. The discovery was made possible by the help of a dog named Tyla, who sniffed out the location of the burial mound.[6]
5. The Maya Civilization
In 2017, archaeologists in Mexico discovered a vast network of underground caves, tunnels, and cenotes that were part of the ancient Maya civilization. The discovery was made possible by the help of a dog named Turbo, who led the team to the site.[5]
4. The Tomb of Tutankhamun
In 1922, archaeologist Howard Carter made one of the most famous archaeological discoveries of all time: the tomb of Tutankhamun. But it was his loyal dog, a terrier named Dash, who first discovered the entrance to the tomb.[4]
3. The Lost City of Tenea
In 2018, archaeologists in Greece discovered the remains of the ancient city of Tenea, which had been lost for over 2,000 years. The discovery was made possible by the help of a cadaver dog named Hector, who sniffed out the location of the ancient tombs.[3]
2. The Oldest Human Footprints
In 2013, a team of archaeologists in the UK discovered the oldest human footprints outside of Africa, dating back to around 800,000 years ago. But the discovery was only made possible because of the help of a dog named Kema, who led the team to the site.[2]
1. The Terracotta Warriors
In 1974, a group of farmers in China’s Shaanxi province stumbled upon one of the most incredible archaeological discoveries of the 20th century: the Terracotta Warriors. But they didn’t do it alone. A local dog led them to the site, where they found the first pieces of the warriors’ pottery armor.[1]
In conclusion, dogs have played a significant role in archeological discoveries for many years. From unearthing ancient human remains to sniff out hidden artifacts, these loyal and intelligent animals have proven to be valuable members of archeological teams. Thanks to their keen senses and strong work ethic, dogs have helped uncover some of the most fascinating discoveries in history. As technology continues to advance, it’s likely that dogs will continue to play an important role in archeology for many years to come. Whether it’s uncovering new evidence about ancient civilizations or helping to solve historical mysteries, these amazing animals are truly man’s best friend.
