The origins of domestic cats, long a subject of debate among scientists, have been clarified by a recent genomic study. This research highlights a significant moment in feline history: the introduction of domestic cats into Europe from North Africa, occurring approximately 2,000 years ago during the early Roman imperial era.
The study, led by Claudio Ottoni, a paleogeneticist at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, reveals that domestic cats likely arrived on the continent through expanding maritime trade routes. Early sailors may have brought these cats aboard ships to control rodent populations, particularly on vessels transporting grain from Egypt to various ports within the Roman Empire.
Historically, it was believed that domestication occurred much earlier, around 6,000 to 7,000 years ago, with farmers from the ancient Near and Middle East introducing cats to Europe as they migrated westward. Ottoni’s research challenges this long-standing theory, stating, “We show that the earliest domestic cat genomes in Europe are found from the Roman imperial period onwards,” beginning in the first century AD.
The team analyzed genetic data from feline remains found in 97 archaeological sites across Europe and the Near East, including both domestic and wild cats. They examined 225 bones dating from about 10,000 years ago to the 19th century, successfully generating 70 ancient feline genomes. Their findings indicate that the cat remains discovered in prehistoric European sites belonged to wildcats, rather than early domestic cats.
The study also emphasizes the timeline of cat domestication, noting that dogs were the first animals to be domesticated, descending from a population of ancient wolves. Domestic cats, on the other hand, evolved from the African wildcat.
Ottoni’s co-author, Marco De Martino, also a paleogeneticist at the University, remarked on the importance of these findings: “The introduction of the domestic cat to Europe is significant because it marks a pivotal moment in their long-term relationship with humans.” Cats became more than just another species; they integrated deeply into human societies, economies, and belief systems.
The research identifies two key introductions of cats to Europe from North Africa. The first occurred around 2,200 years ago, when wildcats were brought to the island of Sardinia, from which the current wildcat population descends. However, these were not domestic cats. A separate introduction occurred about two centuries later, which established the genetic foundation for modern domestic cats in Europe.
According to Bea De Cupere, a zooarchaeologist and study co-author at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, “The timing of the genetic waves of introduction from North Africa coincides with periods when trade around the Mediterranean intensified strongly.” Cats likely traveled as effective mouse hunters on cargo ships, but they also held cultural significance, as evidenced by their revered status in ancient Egypt.
In ancient Egypt, cats were associated with feline deities, and their royal households kept them as pets, often mummifying them for burial in elaborate coffins. The ancient Roman army, with its extensive network of outposts across Europe, played a crucial role in spreading domestic cats throughout the continent. Evidence from Roman military camp sites supports this assertion, revealing feline remains that trace this historical movement.
The earliest domestic cat identified in the study, genetically similar to present-day domestic cats, dates from between 50 BC and 80 AD in Mautern, a town in Austria that housed a Roman fort along the Danube River.
Despite these revelations, the study does not clarify the timing or location of the initial domestication of cats. Ottoni explains, “Cat domestication is complex, and what we can tell now is the timing of the introduction of domestic cats to Europe from North Africa. We can’t really say much about what happened before and where.”
This research not only sheds light on the origins of one of humanity’s most beloved companions but also opens new avenues for understanding the intricate relationship between humans and domesticated animals throughout history.
