Exploring new caves during the Upper Palaeolithic was fraught with danger, which is why one group of ancient humans in Italy made sure to take their trusted four-legged companion with them when they stepped into the darkness. Analyzing the fossilized foot and paw prints left behind during this subterranean excursion, researchers say that these 14,400-year-old tracks represent the world’s oldest direct evidence of humans living alongside a domesticated dog . The rest of this article is behind a paywall. Please sign in or subscribe to access the full content.

A total of 25 preserved canid prints were discovered in various chambers of the Grotta della Bàsura in northwest Italy. In some cases, the paw marks overlay human foot impressions, while in other instances the reverse is observed, in

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