In what century did cats appear? - briefly
The earliest evidence of domesticated cats dates back to around 9500 years ago in Cyprus. This suggests that cats were first domesticated during the Neolithic period.
In what century did cats appear? - in detail
The exact origin of domestic cats is a subject of ongoing debate among scholars, but it is generally agreed that cats first appeared in the Fertile Crescent region around 10,000 years ago during the Neolithic period. This area, which includes present-day Iraq, Syria, and Turkey, was one of the cradles of civilization where agriculture and settled communities emerged.
The process of cat domestication began with the taming of wildcats, specifically the African wildcat (Felis lybica). Early farmers likely attracted these wild cats to their settlements by providing a reliable food source from the rodents and other pests that were drawn to their grain stores. Over time, these wild cats became more tolerant of human presence and eventually started living alongside humans in a mutually beneficial relationship.
The earliest archaeological evidence of cat domestication comes from Cyprus, where a cat skeleton was found buried with a human around 9,500 years ago. This discovery suggests that by the Neolithic period, cats were already considered companions and valued members of early human societies.
Throughout the centuries, cats spread across various civilizations, including ancient Egypt, where they were revered and worshipped as sacred animals. Inscriptions and artifacts from around 4000 BCE show cats depicted in Egyptian art, indicating their importance and integration into daily life.
In summary, while the precise century of cat domestication is challenging to pinpoint due to the gradual nature of the process, it is clear that cats began appearing as companions to humans during the Neolithic period, roughly 10,000 years ago. Their presence has been integral to human societies ever since, evolving from wild animals to beloved pets over millennia.