5000 b.c.?

Question

I was looking up when we found Guinea Pigs and something said we found them on the earth in 5000 B.C. I understand that BC means Before Christ, but I mean, what EXACTLY does that mean? And, were tguinea pigs really found then?

Answer 1

When I looked this up, I found statements claiming that guinea pigs were domesticated as early as 5000 BC for food by mountain tribes in the Andean region of South America.

So guinea pigs were around before that, but that at by 5000 BC, Andean tribes started domesticating them, and raising them for food.

Yes, they were around then, according to all of the online research.

The Guinea Pig Handbook (Barron's Pet Handbooks)
Guinea Piglopaedia by Margaret Elward and Mette Ruelokke

A Guinea Pig's History of Biology by Jim Endersby

Answer 2

Here is a relevant web site:

http://www.animaladventurepets.com/guineapigs.htm

I don't know how they knew the Incas ate guiney pigs in 5000 B.C., but apparently there is some evidence that they did (carbon-dated bones in middens?).

Keep on working on this one. It's an interesting question!