# Ancient Peruvian Hairless Dogs Discovered at Wari Empire Site

> Archaeologists have found the first physical evidence of Peruvian hairless dogs at the 1,200-year-old Wari Empire site of Castillo de Huarmey, identifying at least three individuals among 341 dog bone specimens.

By PrimaryBrief newsroom · Published 2026-10-20T23:04:07.177018Z
Canonical: https://primarybrief.com/article/ancient-peruvian-hairless-dogs-discovered-at-wari-empire-site-126336bc

Archaeologists have confirmed the presence of Peruvian hairless dogs at the Wari Empire site of Castillo de Huarmey, identifying at least three individuals among 341 dog bone specimens dating back up to 1,200 years ago [1][3][5]. This discovery provides the first physical evidence of these dogs in a Wari context, expanding understanding beyond previous artistic depictions and deepening insight into ancient human-animal relationships in Peru [1][3][4].

This finding offers a tangible connection to the Wari Empire, which flourished between 600 and 1050 CE, centuries before the Inca Empire [4][7]. This research contributes to a richer understanding of this pre-Inca civilization and the role animals played within their society.

## Physical Evidence Uncovered

The archaeological investigations at Castillo de Huarmey, located approximately 190 miles north of Lima, uncovered numerous dog remains within the Wari administrative and funerary complex [4][7]. Researchers recovered 341 dog bone specimens, representing at least 19 individual animals [5][11]. Among these, at least three were identified as Peruvian Hairless Dogs based on specific genetic traits, including the congenital absence of certain premolars and molars [3][8][9]. This distinctive dental feature is linked to the gene responsible for hairlessness in the breed [8][10].

The arid climate of Castillo de Huarmey helped preserve fragile organic materials [3][9][11]. This led to the discovery of naturally mummified remains, including a dog skull painted with red cinnabar and a complete skeleton [2][4][5][9][10]. One mummified hairless dog yielded the earliest radiocarbon date for the site, placing its existence between 688 and 870 CE [2][3][9]. Some dogs, including puppies, were found buried alongside human remains, suggesting various forms of companionship and symbolic roles [1][4][8][9].

## A Millennium of Coexistence

The Wari Empire predates the Inca civilization by about 400 years [4][7]. For years, knowledge of dogs in the Wari world largely relied on artistic representations found in ancient Andean pottery [4][6][8]. The recent discovery provides concrete physical evidence, moving beyond these artistic depictions to show that these distinctive hairless dogs lived alongside people during the Wari period [4][8][11]. Peru officially recognized the hairless dog as part of its cultural heritage in 2000 [4][6]. The findings from Castillo de Huarmey reinforce the deep historical roots of this breed's connection to the Andean region [3][9].

## Diverse Roles and Care

The findings suggest a complex relationship between Wari people and their dogs. Isotopic analysis of the bone remains provided insights into the animals' diets [1][10]. The analysis indicated that puppies received specialized care, and adult dogs had varied diets, implying different roles or contexts for the animals within the Wari community [1]. For instance, a puppy was buried with an elite craftsperson known as the “Master Basketmaker,” while another accompanied a man identified as “XY,” possibly as a tomb guardian [9][10]. These varied burial contexts and dietary clues point to dogs fulfilling diverse social functions beyond simple pets or scavengers [2][9].

## What We Could Not Confirm

Archaeologist Milosz Giersz highlighted a hypothesis regarding a possible link between the Peruvian Hairless Dog and the Mesoamerican Xoloitzcuintli, a similar dog breed [3]. He clarified that currently there is no definitive evidence of an exchange route between Mexico and the Peruvian coast to confirm this connection [3]. Weronika Tomczyk, a research associate, noted the challenge of reconstructing past emotions through archaeological methods. She stated that while humans and dogs clearly coexisted, the precise nature of their emotional bond is difficult to capture [4][7]. In one burial context, a Master Basketmaker was found missing both his feet, but the reason for this, whether amputation or otherwise, remains unknown [10].

## Evidence cited
1. Archaeologists discover 1,200-year-old mummified hairless dog in Peru (www.sciencedaily.com) — https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/10/261016070644.htm
2. Archeowieści (archeowiesci.pl) — https://archeowiesci.pl/
3. Andina (andina.pe) — https://andina.pe/
4. Science & Technology News | Scitechdaily.com (scitechdaily.com) — https://scitechdaily.com/
5. Culture, History, Science & Exploration (nationalgeographic.com) — https://nationalgeographic.com/
6. SOZ6: Latest News, Sports, Politics, Entertainment, Science (soz6.com) — https://soz6.com/
7. Dartmouth (dartmouth.edu) — https://dartmouth.edu/
8. Archaeology Magazine (archaeology.org) — https://archaeology.org/
9. Ancient Origins | Reconstructing the Story of Humanity (ancient-origins.net) — https://ancient-origins.net/
10. Medium (medium.com) — https://medium.com/
11. Ancient Peruvian Hairless Dogs Buried with Wari Elites 1,200 Years Ago - Archaeology Magazine (Archaeology Magazine) — https://archaeologymag.com/2026/05/peru-wari-dogs