The history of cats, those elegant and mysterious animals, is deeply entwined with human civilization and dates back thousands of years. Their transformation from untamed predators to cherished pets is an intriguing story of reciprocal advantages and changing bonds. Wild cats roamed freely in the ancient Near East, hunting rodents drawn to human towns. This is where it all started.
First Contacts with Humans
Around 9,000 years ago, in places like modern-day Egypt and Turkey, cats and humans most likely initially interacted. When agriculture developed, people started storing extra grains, which drew rats.
Cats began to congregate near human homes after seeing a chance for easy prey, developing a mutually beneficial relationship. While cats discovered a reliable source of food, humans appreciated the pest control services provided by the cats.
Ancient Egyptian Cats: Sacred Protectors
Ancient Egypt is the setting for one of the most well-known periods in the history of cats as pets. Here, cats were venerated as representations of grace, fertility, and protection in addition to their skill as hunters.
Bastet, who was portrayed as a lioness or a woman with the head of a domestic cat, was one of the cat deities that the ancient Egyptians adored. Cats were frequently kept as house pets, and their passing was marked by complex customs. Even unintentionally killing a cat was regarded as a serious crime that carried legal penalties.
About The Author
