This is where our house cats came from
What's the story
The origin of domestic cats has always been a bit of a mystery. However, new research using ancient DNA is changing the narrative. Previously, it was believed that humans and cats started cohabiting around 9,500 years ago in the Levant region during the Neolithic era. The theory suggested that grain stores attracted rodents, which in turn lured wildcats, eventually leading to their domestication by humans.
DNA analysis
New research challenges traditional domestication narrative
Recent studies of ancient cat DNA from archeological sites across Europe, Middle East, and Asia have challenged this long-held belief. The research shows that modern domestic cats are much younger than previously thought and weren't the first felines to live with humans. Greger Larson, a professor at Oxford University and co-author of two papers on this research, said they found bones ascribed to domestic cats dating back 10,000 years, but these did not have genomes similar to today's cat population.
Origin
Domestic cats likely originated in North Africa
A study published in Science analyzed 87 ancient and modern cat genomes and concluded that domestic cats, scientifically known as Felis catus, actually originated in North Africa. This is a departure from the earlier belief of their origin in the Levant region. The study also found that these cats were closely related to African wildcats (Felis lybica lybica) and established the gene pool of today's domestic cat population.
Spread
Domestic cats spread with Roman Empire's rise
The study also noted that domestic cats began to spread across Europe with the rise of the Roman Empire some 2,000 years ago. A second study published in Cell Genomics found that by AD 730, domestic cats had reached China, likely through trading caravans along the Silk Road. The research analyzed DNA from 22 felid bones unearthed in China over the last 5,000 years.
Cohabitation
Leopard cats cohabited with humans in China
Before domestic cats arrived, a different species of feline, Prionailurus bengalensis or leopard cat, lived with humans in China from at least 5,400 years ago to AD 150. This species was not related to domestic cats or their ancestors. The study's senior author Shu-jin Luo said the leopard cat's relationship with humans was "commensal," meaning both benefited from one another but it never became fully domesticated despite living alongside people for over 3,500 years.