According to research findings published in Science magazine and National Geographic, the origins of domestic cats have finally been determined. The truth about these felines, which have long been believed to hail from Egypt, has been unveiled for the first time. So, where do our adorable companions actually come from?
Let's unravel the millennia-old mystery of cats together.
Some of us know them as the joy of our homes, while others recognize them as loyal companions wandering the streets alone. Regardless of the season, every time we step onto a street, sip tea in a cafe, or knock on a door of a house, we are invariably greeted by a cat.
These 'domestic' cats, as regal and sweet as they are, have maintained a small mystery for years. They are among the animals whose ancestry we are unaware of. Up until now,
According to genetic analyses, it has been revealed that the lineage of domestic cats can be traced back to North Africa approximately 9,000 years ago, from where they spread worldwide.
Contrary to long-held beliefs and assumptions, modern domestic cats have not evolved from the street cats of ancient Egypt. We know it's hard to believe, but their origins apparently lie in North Africa...
However, National Geographic has expanded the research that sheds light on the history of domestic cats even further.
According to genetic studies, domestic cats began to spread from North Africa to Europe not 9,000, but approximately 2,000 years ago. The research indicates that cats were domesticated by humans, primarily to protect grain stores, and over time, they spread to various regions of Europe.
The studies have also revealed that during this process, cats acquired different characteristics in various geographies and adapted to different climates. In other words, the diversity of cats we see today is not only the result of geographic interactions, but also the living conditions provided by humans.