In what year did cats appear? - briefly
Cats first appeared around 60 million years ago during the Eocene epoch. They evolved from small, tree-dwelling mammals known as Miacids.
In what year did cats appear? - in detail
The origins of domestic cats can be traced back to ancient times, with their exact year of appearance being difficult to pinpoint due to the lack of precise historical records. However, scientific evidence and genetic studies provide valuable insights into when and where cats first began to share their lives with humans.
One of the earliest known examples of cat domestication comes from Cyprus, an island in the eastern Mediterranean. Archaeological excavations have uncovered cat remains dating back approximately 9,500 years, suggesting that humans and cats coexisted during the Neolithic period. These findings indicate that early farming communities may have encouraged the domestication of cats to control pests such as rodents and snakes, which threatened their crops and food supplies.
Genetic research further supports this timeline. A comprehensive study published in Nature Communications analyzed the DNA of wildcats and domestic cats from various regions around the world. The results indicate that all modern domestic cats can be traced back to a small number of wildcat ancestors, with the most likely origin being the Near East around 10,000 years ago. This region, which includes present-day Israel, Jordan, and Syria, was one of the earliest centers of agriculture and human settlement.
In addition to their role in pest control, cats have also been revered and worshipped in many ancient cultures. For example, in ancient Egypt, cats were considered sacred and were often mummified after death. This practice began around 6,000 years ago, indicating that cats had already become integral parts of human societies by this time.
In summary, while it is challenging to specify the exact year when cats first appeared as domestic animals, scientific evidence points to their origins in the Near East around 10,000 years ago. The process of domestication likely began with early farming communities seeking to control pests and has continued to evolve over millennia, resulting in the diverse range of cat breeds we see today.