Dogs are known for their loyalty, intelligence, and playful nature. But did you know some dogs have a knack for unearthing history? These furry friends have stumbled upon incredible archaeological discoveries, proving they’re not just man’s best friend, but also history’s best helpers! Get ready to explore ten amazing archaeological finds made by dogs.
The Nose Knows: Canine Archaeology in Action
From accidental discoveries to intentional searches, dogs have played a role in uncovering our past. Their keen sense of smell and curiosity often lead them to hidden treasures and historical sites. Let’s dive into the top 10 archaeological discoveries made by our four-legged friends:
10 Lascaux Cave
In 1940, Marcel Ravidat’s dog, Robot, disappeared down a narrow shaft in France. Marcel discovered that the shaft led to a cave adorned with 17,000-year-old paintings, now known as Lascaux Cave. Robot the dog didn’t discover the cave paintings themselves, but without him, the cave may have remained hidden for much longer.
9 Dinosaur Skeleton
While walking on a beach in Dorset, England, Tracy Barclay’s dog, Raffle, began clawing at the sand. Tracy investigated and unearthed a massive backbone. It turned out to be a 200-million-year-old plesiosaur skeleton! The skeleton was later named Raffle, in honor of the curious canine that found it.
8 The Largest Treasure Found in Poland This Century
Kajtuś the dog was walking with his owner near Wałbrzych, Poland, when he started digging in a particular spot. His owner discovered an old clay pot filled with medieval bracteates—coins from the 13th century. This was the largest treasure found in Poland in a century!
7 Bronze Age Relics
Monty the dog, while walking with his owner in the Czech Republic, took an interest in a particular spot and began to dig. Monty unearthed an extremely rare collection of 3,000-year-old sickle and axe blades, bracelets, and spear points! As a reward, Monty’s owner received $360.
6 Unmarked Revolutionary War Graves
Cadaver dogs were brought to Kettle Creek, Georgia, to see if they could locate bodies from the Revolutionary War. Surprisingly, the cadaver dogs managed to find more than two dozen shallow graves from the 240-year-old battle!
5 3,000-Year-Old Croatian Tombs
In Croatia, archaeology professor Vedrana Glavaš enlisted cadaver dogs to excavate a site from 800 BC. The dogs, Sattve and Mali, located six undiscovered ancient tombs, showcasing their incredible sense of smell.
4 An Ancient Grape-Pressing Site
Zach the dog, while playing in Jerusalem’s Ramot Forest, tumbled into a hole in the ground. His owner discovered that the pit was actually an undiscovered grape-pressing pit dating from the First Temple period (1200-586 BC)!
3 £6,000 in 19th-Century Gold Coins
Ollie, a Lagotto Romagnolo puppy in Blackpool, England, started digging on his first walk and unearthed 15 gold coins from the 19th century. The coins were valued at nearly £6,000 (about $7,380) , proving that truffle-hunting dogs can find more than just truffles!
2 $90,000 in 14th-Century Silver Coins
Masa, a dog in the Czech Republic, dug up a small clay pot containing 300 silver coins from the 14th century. The coins were valued at over $90,000! Masa certainly outdid Ollie’s discovery, at least in value.
1 $10 Million in Gold Rush Coins
While walking their dog on their rural California property, John and Mary’s dog found an old rusted can sticking out of the ground. It was filled with gold coins. They unearthed eight more cans stuffed with mint-condition, Gold Rush-era gold coins valued at $10 million!
Our Furry Friends: Unearthing the Past
These amazing archaeological discoveries made by dogs highlight their incredible senses and curious nature. From stumbling upon ancient caves to sniffing out gold, these pups have proven to be valuable contributors to our understanding of history. Maybe it’s time to train your dog to be an archaeologist!
What do you think? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
