Dr. Claudio Ottoni and other researchers are using ancient DNA to study cat domestication. The aim of their study is to understand the biological and environmental factors that shaped the evolution of domestic cats and trace how cats spread around the world. Cats domestication is unique because while cats are adapted to humans, they still retained most of their wild instincts. Genetic analysis suggests domestic cats came from North Africa and entered Europe around 2,500 years ago. This is much later than other domesticated animals making cats a unique case.
The researchers have analyzed over 1,300 fossilized cats including some cat mummies from archaeological sites in Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia with the cats dating back as far as 10,000 BC. The researchers specifically wanted to look at Egyptian cat mummies because of cats long history in Egypt but mummification damages DNA. However, using advanced genetic sequencing they are now able to recover more of the DNA.
https://phys.org/news/2024-11-journey-egyptian-cat-mummies-modern.html
Amazing research! Tracing cats’ domestication through ancient DNA reveals their unique evolution and late domestication. Recovering DNA from mummified cats is a remarkable achievement, offering valuable insights into their history and connection with humans.
ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting. I knew cat domestication went back very far but I never knew just how far. I have seen and heard about some culture in history worshiping cats. I have cats and it always made me wonder just how humans came to domesticate them. I found it interesting that all over the world had different timelines in which they domesticated cats.
ReplyDelete