4,000-year-old dog paw prints discovered on an ancient mudbrick in Turkey

In the ancient settlement of Tavşanlı Höyük, located in Kütahya, Turkey, archaeologists have uncovered what appears to be a 4,000-year-old dog paw print preserved on a mudbrick. The discovery, made at a site believed to be one of the largest Bronze Age settlements in western Anatolia, sheds light on the everyday lives of people from thousands of years ago.

The mudbrick was likely stepped on by a dog while the brick was still wet, leaving an impression that was preserved as it dried. The settlement's excavation has been ongoing since 2021, revealing evidence of human occupation dating back several millennia, including ceramics, bones, burnt wood, and flint. The significance of this paw print lies in its ability to provide a glimpse into the relationship between humans and animals in the past, reminding us that ancient history is not solely about monumental structures but also the smaller, everyday moments of life that once unfolded.