https://somersetdaily.co.uk/tags/cheddarman/Recent content in cheddarman on Somerset DailyHugo -- gohugo.ioen-usSun, 05 Apr 2026 09:34:56 +0000https://somersetdaily.co.uk/ancient-dna-reveals-earliest-domesticated-dog-at-cheddar-gorge/Sun, 05 Apr 2026 09:34:56 +0000https://somersetdaily.co.uk/ancient-dna-reveals-earliest-domesticated-dog-at-cheddar-gorge/New DNA analysis of ancient animal remains from Cheddar Gorge’s renowned Gough’s Cave has dramatically reshaped our understanding of early dog domestication. A 14,300-year-old jawbone discovered during excavations between 1927 and 1931 has been identified as genetically closer to a dog than a wolf, making it the earliest confirmed evidence of a domesticated dog in the UK—and one of the oldest in the world. This jawbone was unearthed alongside notable finds such as Cheddar Man, a complete human skeleton dating back around 10,000 years, cementing Cheddar Gorge’s significance as a window into prehistoric life.