Recent research conducted by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the University of Iowa has shed light on the complex social history of dogs during the early colonial period in North America. Previous studies suggested that European dog lineages replaced North American ones between 1492 and the present day, raising questions about the timing and reasons for this replacement. By sequencing mitochondrial DNA from archaeological dog remains at the Jamestown colony in Virginia, the researchers aimed to better understand the ancestry of these dogs and the interactions between European settlers and Indigenous peoples.
Historical records indicate that both Europeans and Native Americans valued their dogs as companion animals, using them for similar work and as symbols of identity. However, the settlers often described Indigenous dogs as mongrels, implying that Indigenous peoples did not breed or own their dogs, while Indigenous peoples saw European dogs as a threat to their existence and took steps to limit their use. This tension between European and Indigenous cultures is reflected in the treatment and perception of dogs during the early colonial period.
The researchers focused on the Jamestown colony due to the availability of canid remains and evidence of Indigenous influence at the site. By analyzing 181 canid bones representing at least 16 individual dogs, the team identified 22 remains from multiple time points between 1607 and 1619. DNA extracted from these remains was sequenced to determine the ancestry of the dogs, revealing that at least six dogs showed evidence of Indigenous North American ancestry. This suggests that Indigenous dogs were present in the area and not immediately eradicated upon the arrival of Europeans.
Body size estimates and analysis of the dog bones indicated that most of the Jamestown dogs weighed between 22-39 lbs, similar to modern-day beagles or schnauzers. Many bones also showed signs of human-inflicted damage, such as burning and cut marks, suggesting that some of these dogs were consumed as food by the colonists. The presence of Indigenous DNA in some of the dogs suggests a complex history of interactions between Indigenous tribes and European settlers, including possible trade and interbreeding between dogs of different ancestries.
The research team’s findings challenge previous assumptions about the eradication of Indigenous dog lineages in North America and highlight the need for further investigation into the social and cultural dynamics surrounding dogs during the colonial period. By expanding their study to other sites and obtaining more high-quality DNA samples, the researchers aim to gain a deeper understanding of the ancestry and interactions of dogs in early colonial North America. This collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to studying dog remains offers new insights into the complex relationships between humans and their canine companions in the past.