Archaeologists have discovered the first physical evidence of Peruvian hairless dogs at the only Wari Empire site found to date, known as Castillo de Huarmey.

Situated in a Peruvian desert on the Pacific Coast, the Wari civilization established its center of power at Castillo de Huarmey approximately 1,200 years ago. This expansive site spans 111 acres and sits atop a rocky hill. The necropolis, described by archaeologists as a “unique” culture, was not studied until 2010, and excavations have been ongoing since then.

In 2012 and 2022, the discovery of a royal tomb containing an astonishing 58 elite females, 1,300 artifacts, six human sacrifices, and the burials of elite craftsmen alongside gold, silver, and bronze tools brought the site international attention. Among these findings were the remains of at least 20 puppies and dogs, which were partially preserved and mummified.

In a study just published in the Journal of Anthropological Archaeology, an international research team employed a combination of traditional zooarchaeological analysis and isotope studies to investigate the emblematic breed, known as the Peruvian Incan Orchid or hairless dog, which had not been physically found before. Their studies focused on the dogs’ diets, mobility, and origins, illuminating the role of this breed—integral to Peruvian identity—in pre-Incan Andean societies.

The one and only hairless dog

The research team recovered 341 bones from 19 hairless dogs, including a 6- to 8-week-old puppy buried with one of the elite craftsmen. Bones of an adult dog were discovered in the palace, and the remains of a puppy were found with a male guardian, likely sacrificed to accompany him in the afterlife.

Although hairless dogs are widely represented in ancient Andean coastal pottery and were declared a national symbol in 2000, these are the only physical remains of this breed known to exist, according to a press release from Dartmouth, one of the research institutions involved in the study.

At first glance, the findings suggested that humans and dogs coexisted in the Wari capital. However, reconstructing their bond proved to be a challenge, as emotions from the past are difficult to capture through archaeological methods. Nonetheless, an artifact unearthed at the site highlighted its significance: an anthropomorphic vessel depicting a Peruvian hairless dog holding an instrument.

Excavating deeper layers on-site that were untouched by looters, researchers found the remains of humans and dogs intermixed. In the northern section of the ceremonial area, archaeologists uncovered the most striking find: three sets of hairless dog skeletal remains.

A dog with a singular, spiritual significance

The first discovery was a naturally mummified dog skull with visibly hairless skin, adorned with cinnabar—a pigment typically used on deceased humans—suggesting the dog’s elevated status in society. A larger dog skull was also identified, along with a naturally mummified skeleton; both were hairless and notably lacked their first premolars.

Archaeologists found evidence in scientific literature that the same gene responsible for hairlessness in these dogs is also linked to a reduced number of teeth. Isotopic analysis revealed that these dogs shared a similar diet with humans, primarily consisting of maize. However, as puppies, their diet closely resembled that of children.

“While we will never know if any of the three dogs were pets or how people treated them, it is evident they received different treatment than other dogs,” adds archaeologists in a press release.

The investigations and analyses revealed the close relationship between humans and dogs in Andean societies in Peru, with the hairless dog occupying a unique role as both a practical and spiritual companion, Heritage Daily concludes.