A recent genome study has shed light on a significant milestone in the history of cat domestication, revealing that domestic cats were introduced to Europe from North Africa approximately 2,000 years ago during the early Roman Empire. This research, led by paleogeneticist Claudio Ottoni from the University of Rome Tor Vergata, provides new insights into how these beloved pets became integral to human societies.
The study published in the journal Science determined that cats likely accompanied sailors on Mediterranean trade routes, serving as effective rodent hunters aboard ships transporting grain from Egypt to various Roman ports. This finding challenges the long-held belief that cat domestication occurred as early as 6,000 to 7,000 years ago, coinciding with the movement of farmers from the Near East into Europe.
“We show that the earliest domestic cat genomes in Europe are found from the Roman imperial period onwards,” said Ottoni. The research team analyzed genetic data from 97 archaeological sites, examining 225 bones of both domestic and wild cats dating from about 10,000 years ago to the 19th century. They successfully generated 70 ancient feline genomes, which revealed that prehistoric cat remains in Europe belonged to wildcats, not early domestic cats.
While dogs were the first animal to be domesticated, deriving from an ancient wolf population, domestic cats descended from the African wildcat. According to study co-author Marco De Martino, the introduction of domestic cats to Europe marked a crucial moment in their long-term relationship with humans. “Cats aren’t just another species arriving on a new continent. They’re an animal that became deeply integrated into human societies, economies, and even belief systems,” he explained.
The genome data suggest two separate introductions of cats from North Africa to Europe. The first occurred around 2,200 years ago, when wildcats were brought to the island of Sardinia, establishing a population that still exists today. However, these animals were not domesticated. The second introduction, occurring approximately two centuries later, laid the genetic foundation for the modern domestic cat in Europe.
Bea De Cupere, a zooarchaeologist at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, noted that the timing of these genetic introductions coincides with intensified trade in the Mediterranean. “Cats likely traveled as efficient mouse hunters on grain ships but possibly also as valued animals with religious and symbolic significance,” she stated. In ancient Egypt, cats were revered and depicted as deities, often mummified for burial alongside royalty.
The Roman army played a pivotal role in the spread of domestic cats throughout Europe, with archaeological findings supporting their presence in military camps. The earliest identified domestic cat in Europe, genetically similar to today’s domestic cats, dates back to between 50 BC and 80 AD, found in the Austrian town of Mautern, the site of 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 emphasized the complexity of cat domestication, stating, “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 groundbreaking research not only enhances our understanding of feline history but also highlights the profound connections between humans and animals throughout history.
