Why were dogs important to early hunter-gatherers?

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Uniface blade and three end scrapers — Stone Age Stone tool flaked on one surface only, known as a uniface blade, and three end scrapers.

In hunter-gatherer societies, dogs were essential partners that served primarily as hunting allies and bodyguards against predators. As the earliest domesticated animal, the dog likely assisted humans in tracking and securing food sources.12

The bond between early humans and dogs was strengthened by the dog's unique ability to interpret human social behavior and communication—a trait that appears to be inherited and is more developed in dogs than in wolves or even chimpanzees. This close association, which may date back to the Paleolithic Period, established the dog as a versatile companion capable of fulfilling distinct societal needs, ranging from protection to assistance in daily survival tasks.2134