First physical evidence of legendary Peruvian hairless dogs found in Wari tombs

Archaeologists at Castillo de Huarmey uncovered 341 bones from 19 Peruvian hairless dogs in Wari tombs, including puppies and mummified remains.

Zooarchaeological and isotope analyses suggest the dogs ate the same foods as humans and were treated differently from other dogs.

The remains were found with elite burials, pointing to a special role in Wari society, likely beyond ordinary companionship.

The discovery is the first direct biological evidence for a dog breed long known from Andean art and helps clarify pre-Incan human-animal relationships.