Domestic cats have lived alongside humans for thousands of years, yet the exact time of their domestication remains a subject of scientific debate. New genetic data compel researchers to reconsider the widespread notion that this process began around 10,000 years ago.
Modern domestic cats are descended from the subspecies of the African wildcat Felis silvestris lybica, which inhabits Africa and the Middle East. It was previously believed that the first steps toward domestication occurred during the early agricultural era. This was indicated by a discovery in Cyprus: a burial site was found where a human and a cat were buried together about 9,500 years ago. Additionally, cat bones were found in Chinese refuse pits dating back approximately 5,300 years.
However, genetic analysis of some ancient samples revealed an unexpected detail. Some cats that were previously considered early domesticated may not have been ancestors of modern pets. This includes animals from Europe, the Levant, and even the well-known Cypriot burial site. According to researchers, some of these cats may have belonged to the European wildcat Felis silvestris and may have been killed by humans for their meat or fur.
According to a new interpretation of the data, a key stage of domestication may have occurred much later—in North Africa. One of the likely centers of this process is ancient Egypt around the first millennium BCE.
In Egypt, cats held a special place in culture. They were valued for their ability to protect stores and homes from pests, and they were also associated with divine powers. Images of cats and figurines were widely spread, and some animals were even mummified and buried alongside their owners. Cats were also associated with the goddess Bastet, the protector of protection, pregnancy, and childbirth.
There is another viewpoint on the origin of domestic cats: some scientists believe that to some extent, they domesticated themselves. Wild cats began to settle near agricultural settlements, where they found plenty of rodents and shelter. Humans, in turn, tolerated the presence of the animals as they eliminated pests.
Compared to dogs, cats are considered less domesticated. Many of them are capable of living outside human dwellings, and domestic and feral animals continue to interbreed. Furthermore, targeted breeding of cats for specific traits began only a few centuries ago. As a result, modern breeds mainly differ in appearance, whereas in dog breeding, working qualities historically played a larger role.
