In what year were cats domesticated? - briefly
Cats were first domesticated around 10,000 years ago in the Near East. This process likely began when early farmers started attracting wildcats with food, leading to selective breeding over time.
In what year were cats domesticated? - in detail
The exact year when cats were first domesticated is a subject of ongoing debate among scientists and historians, but it is generally believed that the process began around 10,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent region of the Near East. This area, which includes modern-day Iraq, Syria, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and parts of Turkey and Iran, was one of the cradles of civilization and agriculture.
The earliest evidence of cat domestication comes from archaeological sites in Cyprus, where the remains of cats have been found alongside human settlements dating back to around 9,500 years ago. These findings suggest that cats were intentionally brought onto the island by humans, indicating a level of domestication. However, it is important to note that this does not necessarily mean that cats were fully domesticated at this point; they may have been semi-domestic or even wild cats that had begun to associate with human settlements for food and shelter.
The first definitive evidence of cat domestication comes from ancient Egypt, where cats were revered as sacred animals associated with the goddess Bastet. Artifacts depicting cats have been found in Egyptian burial sites dating back to around 6,000 years ago, providing clear evidence that cats had become fully integrated into human society by this time. The Egyptians not only kept cats as pets but also used them for their ability to control pests, particularly rodents that could damage crops and stored grain.
In summary, while the precise year when cats were first domesticated remains uncertain, it is clear that the process began in the Near East around 10,000 years ago and was well underway by the time of ancient Egypt, approximately 6,000 years ago. The domestication of cats likely occurred as a result of their usefulness in controlling pests and their gradual adaptation to living alongside humans.