How long have cats been around? - briefly
Cats have been around for millions of years, with their origins tracing back to the Miocene epoch approximately 10 million years ago. The earliest known ancestor of modern cats is Proailurus, which lived in Europe and Asia during this period.
How long have cats been around? - in detail
Cats, as we know them today, have been around for about 10,000 years. However, the story of their evolution and domestication is much older and more complex. The ancestor of modern cats is believed to be the African wildcat (Felis lybica), which first appeared around 2 million years ago in Africa. These early felines were likely solitary hunters, living in savannahs and other open habitats.
The process of domestication began when humans started settling in agricultural communities about 10,000 to 12,000 years ago. As humans began storing grain, they unintentionally created an environment that attracted rodents and other pests. The African wildcats, being skilled hunters, were drawn to these settlements by the abundant food source. Over time, these cats learned to coexist with humans, and some may have even been encouraged to stay through provisioning or other forms of support.
The first evidence of a cat living alongside humans comes from a 9,500-year-old grave site in Cyprus, where a human was buried with a cat. This suggests that cats were not just tolerated but also valued by their human companions. As agriculture spread and humans migrated to different parts of the world, they took their feline friends with them.
Through selective breeding, these wildcats evolved into the diverse range of domestic cat breeds we see today. The earliest known depiction of a domestic cat is from around 6000 BC in Cyprus, and by 4000 BC, cats were well-established in ancient Egypt. In fact, the ancient Egyptians revered cats, often mummifying them and burying them with their owners.
Over time, cats spread throughout the world, accompanying humans on their journeys. They played crucial roles in pest control, companionship, and even spiritual significance in various cultures. Today, cats are one of the most popular pets globally, with over 500 million cats living alongside humans. Their long history of domestication has shaped both their biology and our understanding of these enigmatic creatures.