Why do dogs bury bones?

I have a Dachshund mix puppy named Russell. This week, I bought him a four-pack of rawhide chewy bones, since his new set of grownup teeth are doing more damage to my computer chair than I like.

And the bones keep disappearing! I can’t find ‘em anywhere! I have no idea where these things could have got to.

Until just now: I saw him burying one in my crafting shelf, under a bag of polyester fiberfill and a pile of fabric shopping bags.

Now that has me wondering: Why do they do that? Is he going to remember where it is next time he gets the urge to munch on something, or is he going to reach for the most convenient pair of shoes anyway? Is it an instinct to bury his dinner waste? What do you think?