In what century did cats first appear on Earth? - briefly
The first evidence of domesticated cats appears in ancient Egypt around 4000 BCE. This marks the earliest known presence of cats as pets and companions to humans.
In what century did cats first appear on Earth? - in detail
The precise origin of domestic cats is shrouded in the mists of time, but their ancestry can be traced back millions of years to the African wildcat (Felis lybica), which is believed to have first appeared around 8 million years ago during the Miocene epoch. However, the domestication of cats is thought to have occurred much later, in the Neolithic period, around 10,000 years ago.
The process of cat domestication likely began in the Fertile Crescent region, which includes modern-day Iraq, Syria, and Turkey. As early humans transitioned from nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyles to settled agricultural communities, they found that cats were useful companions for controlling pests such as rodents and snakes that threatened their crops and food stores. This symbiotic relationship between humans and cats is believed to have led to the gradual domestication of the species over thousands of years.
Archaeological evidence supports this timeline. The earliest known remains of a domestic cat, dated to around 9,500 years ago, were discovered in Cyprus. This find suggests that cats accompanied humans on their journey from the mainland to the island. Additionally, ancient art and literature provide insights into the role of cats in human society. For example, Egyptian art from around 6,000 years ago depicts cats being cared for by humans, indicating a well-established relationship at that time.
In summary, while cats have existed on Earth for millions of years, their domestication and integration into human societies began significantly later, during the Neolithic period around 10,000 years ago. This process was driven by the mutual benefits derived from the coexistence of humans and cats in early agricultural communities.