Unearthed: Bizarre Motive for Early Humans' Domestication of Cats as Pets
In the realm of historical petkeeping, the domestication of cats has long been a subject of intrigue and debate. Recent research has challenged the traditional narrative that places the origins of cat domestication in the Neolithic period, around 9,000 years ago.
### A New Timeline and Geography
The oldest evidence of cat domestication now comes from a Neolithic burial site in Cyprus, dating back approximately 9,500 years. This discovery, which includes a human buried alongside a cat, suggests a significant relationship between humans and cats at this early stage[2][3].
Moreover, recent studies hint at a connection to ancient Egypt, particularly around the second to first millennium BC. During this period, cats may have been bred for mass sacrifice rather than solely as pets or pest control[1].
### Rewriting the Narrative
The previous understanding of cat domestication primarily focused on the Neolithic period, but recent research indicates a more complex timeline and possible earlier beginnings, or in different locations[1][2]. The discovery in Cyprus challenges the view that cats were first domesticated in farming villages due to pest control needs[2][3].
### The Role of Religion
In ancient Egypt, cats were revered as sacred animals, often associated with gods like Bastet. This religious significance elevated the status of cats in Egyptian society, contributing to their domestication and cultural importance[4]. The role of religion is not just about reverence but also about the potential for cats to be used in rituals or sacrifices[1]. However, the full extent of religion's influence on the domestication timeline remains a subject of ongoing research and debate.
A team led by Dr Sean Doherty, a senior research fellow at the University of Exeter specializing in human-animal-environment interactions, used zooarchaeological analysis, genetics, and radiocarbon dating to reassess ancient cat remains[5].
### A More Recent Timeline
The studies suggest that the domestication of cats began around the second to first millennium BC[1]. However, some misdating of cat bones may have occurred due to their small size and potential shifting between soil layers over time[6].
These findings challenge the narrative that the North African wildcat was domesticated during the Neolithic. Instead, domestic cats arrived in Europe within the last 2,000 years, most likely from North Africa[7].
Two new studies suggest that cats were first domesticated in ancient Egypt, with the timeline of when cats were domesticated being more recent than previously thought[8]. The closeness between humans and cats may not be the result of the duration of their relationship, as with dogs[9].
The studies on the domestication of cats are preprints and are still awaiting formal peer review[10]. However, they provide a fascinating new perspective on the history of our feline companions.
[1] - https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-05499-2 [2] - https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-36142-x [3] - https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abk3202 [4] - https://www.britannica.com/topic/cat/Ancient-Egypt [5] - https://www.exeter.ac.uk/news/featurednews/title_801031_en.html [6] - https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-05499-2 [7] - https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-05499-2 [8] - https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-36142-x [9] - https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abk3202 [10] - https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-05499-2
- Dr. Sean Doherty and his team used zooarchaeological analysis, genetics, and radiocarbon dating to reassess ancient cat remains, suggesting that the domestication of cats began around the second to first millennium BC.
- The revised timeline challenges the narrative that cats were first domesticated during the Neolithic period, with the new evidence pointing towards a potential origin in ancient Egypt instead.
- The role of religion in the cat's domestication cannot be understated, as cats were revered as sacred animals in ancient Egyptian society and were often associated with gods.
- In the realm of modern science, health-and-wellness, and lifestyle, the domestic cat has evolved from a pest controller and sacred animal into a beloved pet, with numerous studies focusing on its genetics and impact on the environment.
