Peruvian Hairless Dogs Found in Ancient Burial Site

Archaeologists from Dartmouth University unearthed mummified Peruvian hairless dogs at a Wari Empire site in Peru. The dogs, dating back over 3,000 years, were buried alongside roughly 60 high-status women and a few men. Some canine remains showed traces of cinnabar, a pigment used in funerary practices.

Researchers noted many dogs lacked certain teeth, not due to loss, but because those teeth never developed—a trait linked to the gene responsible for hairlessness. Isotope analysis revealed the dogs primarily ate maize, mirroring the Wari diet. However, puppies shared dietary patterns with Wari children, suggesting intentional feeding and possible breeding.

The dogs’ exact role remains unclear, as they could have been companions, working animals, or even considered pests. Further research is needed to fully understand their place within the Wari culture and how it compares to similar practices with hairless dogs in other parts of Mesoamerica.