Despite spending a few millennia as BFFs, no one is quite sure how the relationship between dogs and humans began. A new project at the University of Oxford hopes to gather a vast database of ancient DNA samples and skeletal remains to find out when dogs exited the packs of prehistoric wolves to try their luck alongside human companions.
According to The New York Times, Dr. Greger Larson, a biologist in Oxford’s archaeology department, has solicited samples, data, and input from nearly every prominent researcher in dog genetics for the massive project, funded with $2.5 million from the UK’s Natural Environment Research Council and the European Research Council. He hopes the endeavor begins producing research papers this year.
via Mental Floss
