European Researchers Uncover Origins of Domestic Cats

A recent study by European archaeologists has confirmed the common ancestry of all domestic cats, revealing significant insights into their domestication and spread across the globe. The research indicates that domestic cats originated from the African wildcat in North Africa, millennia after agriculture began, challenging the previous assumption that this process started in the Levant.

To better understand when and how cats transitioned from wild hunters to beloved companions, researchers examined DNA from cat bones discovered in archaeological sites across Europe, North Africa, and Anatolia. The findings suggest that domestication began approximately 3,500 to 4,000 years ago, a timeline considerably later than the previously believed timeframe of 10,000 years ago, according to Professor Greger Larson from the University of Oxford.

Revised Timeline of Domestication

The study emphasizes that the domestication of cats did not coincide with the early agricultural settlements in the Levant. Instead, it is believed to have occurred in Egypt, a region that held cats in high esteem, as evidenced by their preservation as mummies. As Professor Larson noted, “Instead of occurring in the area where people were initially settling with agriculture, it seems to be a phenomenon much more characteristic of Egypt.”

In addition to shedding light on the origins of domestic cats, the research also determined that cats reached Europe much later than previously thought, around 2,000 years ago. This shift in understanding reveals how cats were valued not only for companionship but also as pest controllers aboard ships as they spread throughout Europe and eventually to the United Kingdom, thanks to the Romans.

Global Expansion and the Role of Leopard Cats

Another significant finding from the research is the role of leopard cats, small wild felines with leopard-like spots, which coexisted with humans in China for approximately 3,500 years. According to Professor Shu-Jin Luo from Peking University, the relationship between humans and leopard cats was largely “commensal,” with both species benefiting from their proximity. While leopard cats have never been fully domesticated, they have interbred with domestic cats, leading to the recognition of a new breed: the Bengal cat.

The research not only rewrites the history of domestic cats but also emphasizes their significance in human life, evolving from wild creatures to integral members of families around the world. Today, cats are found nearly everywhere, making their mark in homes across continents, except for Antarctica.

As scientists continue to explore the complex history of these beloved pets, the findings provide valuable insights into the enduring bond between humans and animals, illustrating how history and culture have shaped the companionship we enjoy today.