While their domestication is relatively recent, their wild ancestors, the cavies, have been alive for over 10,000 years. This means they were around long before the first humans started farming!
Here's a breakdown:
* Wild cavies: Existed for over 10,000 years in South America.
* Domesticated guinea pigs: Domesticated in the Andes Mountains around 5,000 years ago by indigenous people.
So, while the guinea pigs we know and love today are relatively new, their lineage stretches back much further than many people realize.