12,000 Years Ago, This Puppy Got a Funeral

The history of dogs, cats, and pet domestication goes back further than most people think — ancient humans were keeping pets long before agriculture, cities, or modern comfort even existed. This video traces the history of pets and animal domestication from the last Ice Age through ancient Egypt and Rome. We look at real archaeological discoveries — including a 14,000-year-old dog burial in Germany and a 9,500- year-old cat burial in Cyprus — that show humans were forming emotional bonds with animals thousands of years earlier than assumed. In this video: How wolves became dogs, and why it happened before farming Why cats domesticated themselves instead of being bred by humans Ancient Egypt's pet baboons, gazelles, and sacred cats Roman dogs with engraved collar tags Why the same pattern of pet-keeping shows up in cultures with no contact with each other. If you're interested in the history of dogs, cats, and animal domestication, subscribe for more deep dives into ancient history. What era of pet history do you find most surprising? Let us know below. #history #archaeology #dogs #cats #ancientegypt #ancientrome #domestication