Evidence supporting this theory:
* Genetic evidence: DNA studies have shown that dogs are closely related to grey wolves and share a common ancestor.
* Fossil evidence: Fossil records indicate that dogs and wolves diverged from each other around 15,000 to 40,000 years ago.
* Behavioral similarities: Dogs and wolves share many behavioral traits, such as pack behavior, social hierarchy, and communication through vocalizations and body language.
Where did this domestication process happen?
While the exact location is still debated, several regions have been suggested as potential centers of dog domestication, including:
* East Asia: This is supported by the oldest known dog remains found in China, dating back to around 16,000 years ago.
* Europe: Some researchers believe domestication might have occurred independently in Europe, based on genetic evidence.
* Central Asia: Another possibility is that domestication happened in Central Asia, where wolves and humans interacted extensively.
Key takeaway: While the exact location and specific events of dog domestication remain a subject of ongoing research, the evidence strongly suggests that dogs originated from wolves, and this process likely happened multiple times in different regions of the world.