Where did the first cats come from? - briefly
The earliest known ancestors of modern cats originated in Africa around 10 million years ago. These small carnivores gradually evolved and migrated, eventually leading to the domestication of cats by humans in the Near East approximately 10,000 years ago.
Where did the first cats come from? - in detail
The origins of the domestic cat are shrouded in the mists of time, but recent genetic and archaeological evidence has shed new light on this intriguing question. It is now believed that our feline companions descended from the African wildcat (Felis lybica), a small, agile species native to North Africa and the Middle East.
The domestication of cats likely began around 10,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent, a region encompassing modern-day Iraq, Syria, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and parts of Turkey and Iran. This area was home to some of the earliest human settlements and agriculture, providing an ideal environment for the wildcat's transition from a solitary hunter to a domestic animal.
The process of domestication is thought to have occurred gradually as early farmers began to store their grains in granaries. These grain stores attracted rodents, which in turn drew wildcats seeking easy prey. Over time, the most docile and tolerant wildcats were allowed to live near human settlements, where they helped control pest populations. This mutualistic relationship between cats and humans is believed to have driven the evolution of domestic cats.
Genetic studies support this hypothesis by showing that all domestic cat breeds share a common ancestor with the African wildcat. Furthermore, archaeological findings from sites such as Shillourokambos in Cyprus provide concrete evidence of cat domestication dating back to around 9,500 years ago. At this site, researchers discovered the skeletal remains of a cat buried alongside a human, suggesting a close bond between the two species even at this early stage.
In conclusion, the first cats are believed to have originated from the African wildcat and were domesticated by early farmers in the Fertile Crescent region around 10,000 years ago. The attraction of rodents to grain stores likely facilitated this process, leading to a close and enduring relationship between humans and cats.