New research has overturned everything we thought we knew about cat domestication. Forget the theory that cats simply followed humans for food. Scientists now reveal that our feline friends became pets through ancient Egyptian religious practices. DNA studies show domestication likely began just 3,000 years ago—not 9,500 years ago as previously believed—and ritual sacrifices to the goddess Bastet played a crucial role in bringing cats into our homes.
Rewriting Cat History: The Cyprus Discovery
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Two groundbreaking studies have challenged the long-held theory that cats became domesticated around 9,500 years ago in Cyprus. Instead, the evidence points to Egypt as the true cradle of cat domestication – and it happened much more recently than we imagined.
“We’ve had to completely rethink the timeline,” says the research team. “Domestic cats didn’t spread to Europe with early farmers as previously believed. The process likely began around 3,000 years ago in ancient Egypt.”
The key revelation came when researchers analyzed DNA from what was thought to be the earliest known domesticated cat – remains found in a human grave in Cyprus dating back 9,500 years. Surprisingly, these bones belonged to a European wildcat, not a domesticated feline.
The Bastet Connection
This discovery shifts the spotlight back to ancient Egypt, where cats held a special place in society. The connection? A goddess named Bastet.
Temples dedicated to Bastet have been discovered surrounding vast ancient agricultural lands throughout Egypt. Initially depicted with a lion’s head, Bastet’s image transformed around the first millennium BC to feature a cat’s head instead.
“This transformation coincided with the rise of cat sacrifice,” the researchers explain. “Millions of free-ranging and specifically-reared cats were mummified as offerings to the goddess.”
These agricultural areas would have attracted large numbers of rodents – and naturally, wildcats followed. Researchers believe this created the perfect environment for humans and cats to develop closer relationships.
“Wildcats gained divine status through their association with Bastet,” notes the study. “This elevated religious importance likely motivated people to bring them into their homes, not just for pest control but as sacred companions.”
Not the First Animals Domesticated Through Religion
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The pattern of animal domestication being driven by religious cults isn’t without precedent. Previous research has linked the spread of fallow deer to the Greek goddess Artemis and chickens to the cult of Mithras.
“Our results offer a new framework for understanding where domestic cats originated,” the researchers write. “It suggests a broader and more complex domestication process involving multiple regions and cultures across North Africa.”
This research challenges our assumption that cats simply followed humans because we stored grains that attracted mice. Instead, their path to becoming beloved pets appears more ceremonial and spiritual in nature.
What’s Next for Cat Research?
The studies haven’t yet undergone peer review, so the scientific community remains cautious. However, the evidence provides compelling reasons to reconsider what we thought we knew about our relationship with cats.
Next, the researchers hope to pinpoint the original source populations of today’s domestic cats more precisely. This could reveal even more surprises about how these independent yet affectionate animals found their way into our homes.
What remains clear is that the ancient Egyptians’ reverence for cats set the stage for a relationship that continues to this day – though modern cat owners thankfully express their appreciation through treats and toys rather than mummification.
For cat lovers worldwide, this research adds a fascinating dimension to their pets’ ancestry. That purring companion curled up on your sofa carries the legacy of animals once worshipped as divine – a history as mysterious and complex as cats themselves.
