Where did cats first appear in Europe? - briefly
Cats first appeared in Europe around 4,000 years ago, likely introduced by traders and settlers from the Near East who brought them as companions and for pest control.
Where did cats first appear in Europe? - in detail
Cats first appeared in Europe during the Neolithic period, around 9,000 years ago, as humans transitioned from hunter-gatherer societies to agricultural communities. The domestication of cats is believed to have originated in the Near East, particularly in the Fertile Crescent, where wildcats (Felis silvestris lybica) were attracted to human settlements due to the presence of rodents that fed on stored grain. Archaeological evidence from Cyprus, such as the discovery of a cat buried alongside a human at the site of Shillourokambos around 7,500 BCE, suggests that cats were already being transported by humans to new regions by that time. As agriculture spread from the Near East to Europe, cats likely followed, either through direct human introduction or by naturally expanding their range. By the time of ancient Egypt, cats had become highly valued for their pest control abilities and were later revered in Egyptian culture. This cultural significance may have facilitated their further spread into Europe through trade and migration. Genetic studies indicate that European domestic cats share a close ancestry with Near Eastern wildcats, supporting the theory that they were introduced to Europe from this region. Over time, cats became integral to European societies, particularly in rural and urban areas where they helped control vermin populations. Their presence in Europe was firmly established by the Roman Empire, where they were widely kept in homes, granaries, and ships. Thus, the arrival of cats in Europe marks a significant intersection of human agricultural development, trade, and the mutual benefits of domestication.