Genome Study Traces Cats’ Arrival in Europe
- Summary A new genome study has pinpointed the arrival of domestic cats in Europe to Roman times, overturning earlier theories of prehistoric domestication.
- Researchers found that cats were introduced from North Africa around 2,000 years ago, likely through maritime trade.
- The findings highlight how cats became integrated into human societies, economies, and belief systems across the continent.
Key Findings from Genetic Analysis
Scientists analyzed feline remains from 97 archaeological sites across Europe and the Near East, spanning 10,000 years to the 19th century. The study generated 70 ancient genomes and revealed that prehistoric European cat remains belonged to wildcats, not domesticated animals. Domestic cats appeared only during the Roman imperial period, beginning in the first century AD. This challenges long-held assumptions that cats arrived with early farmers 6,000 to 7,000 years ago.
Routes of Introduction
The research identified two waves of cats entering Europe from North Africa. Wildcats were first brought to Sardinia about 2,200 years ago, forming the basis of the island’s current wildcat population. A second dispersal, roughly two centuries later, introduced true domestic cats that became the genetic foundation of Europe’s modern feline population. Trade across the Mediterranean, particularly grain shipments from Egypt, likely facilitated their spread, with cats serving as efficient mouse hunters on ships.
Cultural and Historical Context
Cats held symbolic and practical importance in ancient societies, especially Egypt, where they were revered, kept as pets, and sometimes mummified. Roman military outposts also played a role in dispersing cats across Europe, as evidenced by remains found at fort sites. The earliest domestic cat identified in Europe dates to between 50 BC and 80 AD in Mautern, Austria, near a Roman fort along the Danube. Researchers emphasize that while the timing of cats’ introduction to Europe is clearer, the exact origins of initial domestication remain unresolved.
Dogs were domesticated much earlier, descending from ancient wolves, while cats came later from African wildcats. The study suggests domestication was not confined to a single region but involved multiple North African cultures. Interestingly, the integration of cats into Roman society mirrors their role in Egypt, where feline deities were central to religion. This research underscores how trade, military expansion, and cultural exchange shaped the spread of domestic cats, laying the foundation for their enduring presence in households worldwide.
