Recent genetic research has dramatically reshaped our understanding of how domestic cats (Felis catus ) came to live alongside humans. Contrary to previous assumptions, cats weren’t domesticated as early as once believed, and their spread across the globe followed a much later timeline than previously thought. The study reveals that cats originated in North Africa and dispersed to Europe and East Asia within the last 2000 years, rather than being introduced to Europe as early as 9600 BC.
The African Wildcat’s Journey to Europe
A team led by Claudio Ottoni at the University of Rome Tor Vergata analyzed over 225 ancient cat specimens from archaeological sites across Europe and Turkey. By obtaining 70 ancient genomes, they traced the arrival of genetically identifiable African wildcats (Felis lybica lybica ) to Europe as late as the second century AD, specifically in Sardinia, Italy. Prior to this, all European feline remains were identified as European wildcats (Felis silvestris ). This means the domestication of cats in Europe was a much more recent process than previously assumed.
The research suggests that Mediterranean civilizations were instrumental in spreading African wildcats, with at least two distinct populations involved. One group established itself in Sardinia, becoming the genetic basis for modern Sardinian wildcats, while the other ultimately gave rise to modern domestic cats. Ottoni notes that the cat’s adaptability to human environments was key to its success:
“At the beginning of the domestication process, cats were probably very good at adapting to the human environment… their ecological plasticity made them very successful.”
The Silk Road and Cats in East Asia
Meanwhile, in East Asia, a separate but equally intriguing story unfolded. A study by Shu-Jin Luo at Peking University examined feline remains spanning over 5000 years in China. Surprisingly, the earliest cats closely associated with humans weren’t domestic cats at all, but leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis ), a small wildcat native to the region. These cats lived alongside people for over 3500 years, likely attracted by rodents, but never truly domesticated.
True domestic cats only arrived in China around 1300 years ago, during the Tang Dynasty. Genetic evidence clearly links these cats to populations from the Middle East and Central Asia, brought along the Silk Road by traders. Despite a long commensal relationship, leopard cats ultimately failed to become domesticated and retreated to their natural habitats.
Luo’s response to common questions about keeping leopard cats as pets is blunt:
“Our ancestors tried it for over 3000 years, and they failed.”
Why This Matters
These findings underscore that domestication is not always a straightforward process. The success of domestic cats wasn’t inevitable; it depended on specific genetic lineages, environmental conditions, and human interactions. The contrasting experiences of African wildcats and leopard cats highlight how different species respond to domestication pressures. This research also emphasizes that domestication timelines can be dramatically altered by new genetic evidence, challenging long-held assumptions about human-animal relationships.
In conclusion, the origin story of domestic cats is far more nuanced than previously understood. Genetic analysis reveals a relatively recent spread from North Africa to Europe and East Asia, shaped by trade routes, ecological adaptation, and the ultimate failure of other species to fully integrate into human societies.
