Documenting Introductions: The Earliest Evidence for the Presence of Dog (Canis familiaris Linnaeus 1758) in the Prehistory of the Balearic Islands

Abstract

ABSTRACT We emphasize the importance of adopting a restrictive reading of the validity and reliability of the faunal record with respect to past animal introductions. As a case study, we analyze the earliest evidence for dogs in the early prehistory of the Balearic Islands. This research is based on direct AMS 14C dates from selected dog bones obtained in archaeological contexts. These dates, together with a conservative interpretation of the archaeological evidence, allow us to document the historical biogeography of dogs in Balearic prehistory. On Mallorca, the earliest evidence for the presence of dogs falls ca. 2000 cal BC. In contrast, on Menorca and the Pityusic Islands, their presence in the early prehistory (i.e., prior to 2000 cal BC) remains to be demonstrated. These data illustrate the importance of direct AMS 14C dating of animal bones and careful analysis of archaeological context to document the chronology of animal introductions on islands and beyond.