The oldest date from Castillo de Huarmey came from a hairless dog
03 07 2026
Category: Results
The earliest radiocarbon date obtained so far from Castillo de Huarmey did not come from a monumental tomb, a royal object, or a spectacular architectural feature. It came from a naturally mummified hairless dog. Dated to 688-870 CE, this unusual find is more than a curiosity.
It opens a window onto a much larger story: in the Wari world, dogs were not simply pets or strays, but animals with many social lives: helpers, scavengers, companions, and perhaps even guides to the afterlife.