New Study Reveals Cats Became Pets Far Later Than Believed

Recent scientific research has significantly revised our understanding of when cats transitioned from wild hunters to household companions. According to findings published in the journal Science and Cell Genomics, this shift occurred much later than the previously accepted timeline, and in a different geographical location than earlier thought. The study suggests that the close relationship between humans and cats began approximately 3,500 to 4,000 years ago in northern Africa, rather than in the Levant during the dawn of agriculture.

The research, led by Prof Greger Larson of the University of Oxford, involved the analysis of DNA from cat bones excavated at various archaeological sites across Europe, North Africa, and Anatolia. By dating these bones and comparing the genetic material with that of modern domestic cats, the researchers uncovered a timeline that challenges long-held beliefs regarding cat domestication.

Prof Larson stated, “That relationship we have with cats now only gets started about 3.5 or 4,000 years ago, rather than 10,000 years ago.” This finding aligns with the historical reverence for cats in ancient Egypt, a culture that celebrated these animals through art and even preserved them as mummies.

Unraveling the Mystery of Domestication

The traditional view posited that cat domestication began in the Levant, paralleling the rise of agriculture. However, the new evidence indicates a more complex history. “Instead of happening in that area where people are first settling down with agriculture, it looks like it is much more of an Egyptian phenomenon,” Prof Larson added.

Once domesticated, cats were transported globally, serving as invaluable companions on ships and effective pest controllers. They are believed to have arrived in Europe around 2,000 years ago, significantly later than previously assumed. As they spread, cats accompanied the Romans and later found their way along trade routes like the Silk Road, reaching as far as China.

Interestingly, the research also highlights an earlier human-wild cat relationship in China. Before domestic cats emerged, leopard cats, small wild felines with distinctive spots, coexisted with humans for approximately 3,500 years. This relationship was largely “commensal,” meaning both species benefited without significant impact on one another. According to Prof Shu-Jin Luo of Peking University, “Leopard cats benefited from living near people, while humans were largely unaffected or even welcomed them as natural rodent controllers.”

Despite their long-standing association with humans, leopard cats did not undergo domestication and continue to thrive in the wild across Asia. Interestingly, these wild cats have recently been interbred with domestic cats to create Bengal cats, a breed recognized in the 1980s.

The findings from this study not only shed light on the history of domestic cats but also contribute to our understanding of human-animal relationships through the ages. As cats continue to be beloved companions worldwide, their fascinating journey from wild creatures to household pets remains a captivating story of evolution and adaptation.