14,000-Year-Old Wolf Sisters Found in Siberia Reveal Ancient Diet

A pair of remarkably preserved canines, discovered in the Siberian permafrost, have been identified as ancient wolf sisters that lived approximately 14,000 years ago. This finding, detailed in a recent study published in the journal *Quaternary Research* on June 12, 2025, not only challenges previous assumptions about early domesticated dogs but also provides significant insights into the ecological conditions of the Ice Age.

The specimens, found near the rural settlement of Tumat, Siberia, in 2011 and 2015, were initially believed to be domesticated dogs. However, genetic testing led by Dr. Anne Kathrine Runge, an archaeologist at the University of York, revealed that these animals belonged to a now-extinct lineage of wolves, distinguishing them from modern domestic dogs. "Many will be disappointed that these animals are almost certainly wolves and not early domesticated dogs," Dr. Runge stated, emphasizing the importance of this discovery in understanding the evolutionary history of canines.

The researchers utilized advanced genetic analysis on the animals’ remains, including gut contents and chemical signatures from bones and teeth, to reconstruct their life circumstances. The study found that the wolf sisters were only a few months old at the time of death, having consumed a diet that included woolly rhino meat and small birds, although there was no evidence linking them to human scavenging activities.

This finding adds complexity to our understanding of the relationship between early humans and wolves during the late Pleistocene. According to Dr. Nathan Wales, an ancient-DNA specialist at the University of York and co-author of the study, the well-preserved state of the siblings allows researchers to learn a significant amount about their lives, including their last meals. "It was incredible to find two sisters from this era so well preserved, but even more incredible that we can now tell so much of their story, down to the last meal they ate," Dr. Wales remarked.

The excavation of these canines coincided with the discovery of woolly mammoth bones that showed signs of human activity, leading some to speculate that the puppies might have interacted with early humans. However, the current study finds no definitive evidence of direct human involvement in their lives, suggesting instead that they inhabited a diverse ecosystem shared with humans but did not rely on them for sustenance.

The mystery surrounding the cause of death for the wolf sisters remains unsolved. The absence of injuries suggests they may have died in a collapsed den, a common fate for young animals in the wild. The research team has not ruled out the possibility of discovering more specimens hidden in the permafrost, which could further illuminate the evolutionary history of wolves.

This study not only challenges long-held beliefs about the domestication of dogs but also opens avenues for future research into the lives of these ancient canines and their interactions with the environment. As Dr. Wales aptly noted, ongoing studies may yield further insights into ancient wolves and their lineage, potentially reshaping our understanding of canine evolution.