Jessica Young

And new evidence of canid bones from Alaska supports that theory. Their paper analyzes more than 100 specimens, but the most interesting bone was excavated in 2018 outside of Fairbanks. There, researchers found a single tibia, or lower leg bone, and DNA evidence suggests the bone belonged to some kind of ancient wolf or proto-dog, and dated the bone to 12,000 years ago.

And new evidence of canid bones from Alaska supports that theory. Their paper analyzes more than 100 specimens, but the most interesting bone was excavated in 2018 outside of Fairbanks. There, researchers found a single tibia, or lower leg bone, and DNA evidence suggests the bone belonged to some kind of ancient wolf or proto-dog, and dated the bone to 12,000 years ago.

And new evidence of canid bones from Alaska supports that theory. Their paper analyzes more than 100 specimens, but the most interesting bone was excavated in 2018 outside of Fairbanks. There, researchers found a single tibia, or lower leg bone, and DNA evidence suggests the bone belonged to some kind of ancient wolf or proto-dog, and dated the bone to 12,000 years ago.

But, I mean, how do we know that these canids weren't just out there hunting salmon themselves? So salmon is not naturally available in big quantities in Fairbanks, which is why researchers think they were probably getting salmon from humans, like proof of domestication, at least for this one ancient wolf.

But, I mean, how do we know that these canids weren't just out there hunting salmon themselves? So salmon is not naturally available in big quantities in Fairbanks, which is why researchers think they were probably getting salmon from humans, like proof of domestication, at least for this one ancient wolf.

But, I mean, how do we know that these canids weren't just out there hunting salmon themselves? So salmon is not naturally available in big quantities in Fairbanks, which is why researchers think they were probably getting salmon from humans, like proof of domestication, at least for this one ancient wolf.

Yeah, you're one of our favorites.

Yeah, you're one of our favorites.

Yeah, you're one of our favorites.

Tyler Jones, check the facts. Beth Donovan is our senior director. And Colin Campbell is our senior vice president of podcasting strategy. I'm Regina Barber. And I'm Jessica Young.

Tyler Jones, check the facts. Beth Donovan is our senior director. And Colin Campbell is our senior vice president of podcasting strategy. I'm Regina Barber. And I'm Jessica Young.

Tyler Jones, check the facts. Beth Donovan is our senior director. And Colin Campbell is our senior vice president of podcasting strategy. I'm Regina Barber. And I'm Jessica Young.

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You're listening to Shortwave from NPR.

You're listening to Shortwave from NPR.

We also have cures for our loneliness epidemic.

We also have cures for our loneliness epidemic.

We also have cures for our loneliness epidemic.

All that on this episode of Shortwave, the science podcast from NPR. OK, Ari, where do you want to start?

All that on this episode of Shortwave, the science podcast from NPR. OK, Ari, where do you want to start?