UPDOG
Uncovering Portuguese Dog Histories:
Insights from Zooarchaeology
(2024.15279.PEX)
The UPDOG project aims to reconstruct the history of dogs in Portugal, covering a vast chronological span from the Mesolithic to historical periods. As the first domesticated species, dogs have played fundamental roles in human societies as hunting partners, herding assistants, guardians, and companions. This research investigates how these human-canid relationships evolved in response to environmental, economic, and cultural shifts.
The project focuses on three primary scientific objectives: the creation of a comprehensive database of archaeological dog remains in Portugal; the establishment of an accurate chronological framework through direct radiocarbon (14C) dating to resolve frequent discrepancies between archaeological contexts and the actual age of specimens; and the study of morphological evolution through classical osteometry and Geometric Morphometrics (GMM). Ultimately, UPDOG seeks to establish standardized protocols for the excavation and recording of canine remains, ensuring these vital pieces of heritage contribute meaningfully to our understanding of the past.
WORK PLAN

The project is structured into five main tasks over an 18-month period (starting february 2026)

1. Management and Dissemination (February 2026 – July 2027): Coordinating team activities and sharing results through a dedicated website, social media, and academic publications. It includes the production of an instructional video on identifying and excavating dog burials and a final public exhibition.

2. Database – Collection of Data (February – January 2027): Building a centralized, open-access repository of all known and unpublished archaeological records of Canis lupus familiaris and Canis lupus in Portugal.

3. Archaeological Context and C14 Dating (May 2026 – January 2027): Conducting a thorough analysis of excavation reports and performing approximately 40 new radiocarbon (14C) dates to ensure chronological precision. This task also includes stable isotope analysis (13C and 15N) to gain insights into ancient dog diets.

4. Geometric Morphometrics (September 2026 – January 2027): Performing detailed 2D and 3D morphological analysis of skulls, mandibles, and teeth. This includes micro-CT scanning of significant specimens to capture internal anatomy and high-resolution imaging.

5. Synthesis (January 2027– July 2027): Integrating all collected data to analyze the geographic distribution, social roles (ritual vs. domestic), and morphological changes driven by artificial selection and environmental adaptation over time.
MAIN TEAM

The project is driven by an experienced, multidisciplinary team with a long history of collaboration in zooarchaeology and genetics:

  • CLEIA DETRY (Principal Investigator): Assistant Professor at the School of Arts and Humanities, University of Lisbon (FLUL) and researcher at UNIARQ. Specialist in animal domestication and artificial selection
  • Maria João Valente: Assistant Professor at the University of Algarve (UAlg). A leading expert in Portuguese zooarchaeology with extensive experience in faunal assemblages.

  • Nelson Almeida: Researcher at the University of Évora. Specialist in taphonomy and the analysis of dog remains from Neolithic to Iron Age contexts.

  • Ana Elisabete Pires: Researcher at Lusófona University. Expert in canine genetics and ancient DNA (aDNA) studies.

  • Allowen Evin: Researcher at the Institut des Sciences de l’Evolution de Montpellier (CNRS). Specialist in evolutionary biology and the application of Geometric Morphometrics to domestication.

  • Ana Beatriz Santos: Researcher at UNIARQ, she will update the database and curate the data.
MAIN REFERENCES
  • Detry, C. & Cardoso, J. L. (2010). On some remains of dog (Canis familiaris) from the Mesolithic shell-middens of Muge, Portugal. Journal of Archaeological Science, 37(11): 2762-2774.

  • Pires, A. E., et al. (2019). News from Old Dogs: an archaeogenetic study of Iberian Canis: The curious case of Mesolithic Iberian dog. Journal of Archaeological Science, 105: 116-129.

  • Pires, A. E., et al. (2017). Roman dogs from the Iberian Peninsula and the Maghreb – a glimpse into their morphology and genetics. Quaternary International, 471: 132-146.

  • Blaschikoff, L., et al. (2022). A multidisciplinary study of Iberian Chalcolithic dogs. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 42: 103338.

  • Moraes, C., et al. (2022). The Facial Reconstruction of a Mesolithic Dog, Muge, Portugal. Applied Sciences, 12(10): 4867

Supported by Portuguese funds through FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia in the framework of the project 2024.15279.PEX (https://doi.org/10.54499/2024.15279.PEX)