VCF-LOLA-9000

Welcome to the Virtual Creative Factory (VCF) Blog, where we explore the fascinating stories and mysteries of our past, present and future. In this post, we will take a look at a remarkable discovery that was made near Ft. Collins, Colorado, in 2019: the remains of a 9000-year-old woman who was buried with her dog.

The woman, who has been nicknamed "Lola" by the researchers, was found by accident during a construction project near the Horsetooth Reservoir. She was buried in a shallow grave, along with a large dog that was probably her companion. The dog had a bone in its mouth, suggesting that it was fed before being buried with its owner.

Lola is one of the oldest human remains ever found in Colorado, and she provides a rare glimpse into the life and culture of the ancient people who inhabited this region. She was about 40 years old when she died, and she had signs of arthritis and tooth decay. She also had several tattoos on her arms and legs, made with charcoal and cactus spines. The tattoos may have had symbolic or religious meanings, or they may have been used for healing or pain relief.

Lola's dog was also remarkable. It was a large breed, similar to a mastiff or a wolfhound, and it had a genetic mutation that causes black fur. This mutation is rare in modern dogs, but it was more common in ancient ones. The dog may have been domesticated from a local wolf population, or it may have been brought by Lola's ancestors from elsewhere.

Lola and her dog were part of the Folsom culture, a group of hunter-gatherers who lived in North America between 9000 and 8000 BC. They are best known for their distinctive stone spear points, which they used to hunt bison and other large animals. They also made tools from bone, antler and ivory, and they traded with other groups across the continent.

Lola's discovery is a valuable addition to our knowledge of the Folsom culture and the history of Colorado. She shows us that these ancient people had complex social and spiritual lives, and that they had strong bonds with their animal companions. She also reminds us that we share this land with many generations of humans and animals who came before us, and that we have a responsibility to preserve and respect their legacy.

If you want to learn more about Lola and her dog, you can visit the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, where they are currently on display. You can also check out these links for more information:

- [How a 9,000-Year-Old Woman Got Her Tattoos](https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/how-9000-year-old-woman-got-her-tattoos-180973534/)
- [Ancient Dog With A Bone In Its Mouth Found Buried Alongside Human In 9,000-Year-Old Grave](https://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/ancient-dog-with-a-bone-in-its-mouth-found-buried-alongside-human-in-9000yearold-grave/)
- [Folsom culture - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folsom_tradition)

Thank you for reading this post. We hope you enjoyed it and learned something new. Stay tuned for more posts from the Virtual Creative Factory (VCF) Blog!