When was the cat domesticated, in what century? - briefly
The cat was domesticated around 10,000 years ago. This process began in the Fertile Crescent during the Neolithic period, specifically in the 8th millennium BCE.
The domestication of cats is closely linked to the agricultural revolution. As humans started to settle and store grain, it attracted rodents, which in turn attracted wild cats. Over time, these cats became tamer and more accustomed to human presence, leading to their eventual domestication. The relationship between humans and cats was likely mutualistic, with cats providing pest control and humans offering food and shelter. This symbiotic relationship laid the foundation for the domesticated cat we know today.
When was the cat domesticated, in what century? - in detail
The domestication of the cat is a fascinating journey that spans thousands of years. The process began around the dawn of human agriculture, approximately 10,000 years ago, during the Neolithic period. This era marked a significant shift in human society, as people transitioned from nomadic hunter-gatherers to settled farmers. The domestication of cats is intricately linked to this agricultural revolution.
The earliest evidence of cat domestication comes from a 9,500-year-old burial site in Cyprus, where a human and a cat were found together. This discovery suggests that cats were already living in close proximity to humans during this time. However, the domestication process was likely gradual and occurred independently in various regions around the world.
In the Middle East, where agriculture first emerged, cats were likely attracted to human settlements by the presence of rodents, which were drawn to the stored grains. This mutualistic relationship benefited both species: cats received a steady food source, while humans benefited from natural pest control. Over time, this relationship evolved into a more formal domestication process.
The domestication of cats in Egypt is particularly notable. By around 4,000 years ago, during the Bronze Age, cats were highly revered in Egyptian society. They were often depicted in art and were associated with several deities, most notably Bastet, the goddess of protection, pleasure, and fertility. The Egyptians valued cats for their hunting skills, which helped protect grain stores from rodents. This period saw the development of distinct cat breeds, as selective breeding practices began to emerge.
In other parts of the world, such as China and Europe, cats were also domesticated, albeit at different times and through slightly different processes. In China, for example, cats were valued for their ability to control pests in rice fields and homes. The earliest known depiction of a cat in Chinese art dates back to around 5,000 years ago.
In Europe, the domestication of cats was likely a more gradual process, occurring over several centuries. Cats were valued for their hunting skills and were often kept in homes and on farms to control rodent populations. By the Middle Ages, cats were common in European households, and their domestication was well-established.
The domestication of cats is a complex process that involved multiple regions and cultures. While the exact timeline varies, it is clear that cats began to live in close proximity to humans around 10,000 years ago, during the Neolithic period. The process of domestication was driven by mutual benefits, with cats providing pest control and humans providing food and shelter. Over time, this relationship evolved into the domesticated cats we know today, with distinct breeds and cultural significance in various parts of the world.