Figure 1: Mummified cats found in Egypt

         In the past, scientists and anthropologists believed that cats were domesticated in ancient Egypt. Now, with the use of more advanced scientific technology, scientists believe that cats were actually domesticated in the Fertile Crescent 10,000 years ago. This evidenced is based on cat bones found in human graves from this era (Driscoll et al). While this theory is now widely accepted, some people, including anthropologist James Baldwin, still believe cats were truly domesticated in Egypt.

Figure 2: Cats in Ancient Egyptian art

           

       Though his article “Notes and Speculations on the Domestication of the Cats in Egypt” is relatively old, dating back to 1975, it still acknowledges the research and scientists who believe cats were domesticated in the Fertile Crescent. Baldwin admits that semi-domesticated cats were present in the Fertile Crescent, but does not believe those cats are the ancestors of todays domesticated cats. Baldwin believes that cats served as hunters in the fields of the Fertile Crescent but never formed a bond with humans. He supports this idea by saying the residents of the Fertile Crescent were buried alongside many animal remains, not just cats (Baldwin, 1975).

            The most recent common ancestor of the domesticated cat is widely agreed to be Felis libyca, the African wildcat. DNA tests prove that Felis libyca is the common ancestor of the cats found in the Fertile Crescent. Many scientists believe that that the domesticated version of Felis libca was brought to Egypt from the Fertile Cresent. Baldwin disagrees, and states that the Egyptians independently domesticated Felis libca, after they were semi-domesticated in the Fertile Crescent. These claims are based on DNA studies of mummified cats, the oldest of which appear to be Felis libca and the African jungle cat, F. chaus, while the newer cat mummies are of domesticated cats (Baldwin, 1975).

Figure 3:Sculpture of Bast

            Baldwin believes that the Egyptians first came into contact with wildcats while they were still nomadic hunters. At this point in time, humans competed with cats for small prey. When the Egyptians shifted to an agricultural based society, their fields attracted wildcats in the same way the fields of the Fertile Crescent did and cats became semi-domesticated. Around 200BC, the Egyptians began to associate animals with religion. Female cats were considered the sacred animal of Bast, the Egyptian goddess of fertility.  In paintings, Bast has the head of a cat and the body of a woman. Male cats became associated with the sun god, Re, as cats kill snakes, and the enemy of Re is Apep, the evil serpent god. The Egyptians began to keep semi-domesticated cats in the temples of these deities. Egyptians people started selecting cats from their fields to live in their homes, believing cats had a direct connection with their gods. Cats were also much easier to keep than many of their other sacred animals, like the crocodile (Baldwin, 1975).  

Figure 4: Ancient Egyptian portrait including a cat. 

             After being selected and brought into the homes of the Egyptians, they became truly domesticated. Cats were treated like family and can be seen in many Egyptian family portraits, including those of pharos.  Cats were mummified, buried and given offerings of milk to ensure they were provided for in the afterlife. A roman embassy was hanged when he accidentally killed a cat. Cats were even trained to hunt birds for the Egyptians. The Egyptians offered cats to Greece in 1969BC as a gift, and from there, they spread throughout the world (Baldwin, 1975). 

            Though, according to this article, the residents of the Fertile Crescent were the first people to have come in contact with domesticated cats, the Egyptians were the first people to domesticate them. In ancient Egypt, cats were treated with respect and love, forming the bond between humans and cats that we see in our domesticated cats today.

Works Cited:

Baldwin, J, 1975, “Notes and Speculations on the Domestication of the Cat in Egypt” Anthrops, Vol 70,3, pp. 428-448. 

Diriscoll, C, Clutton-Brock, J, Kitchener, A, and O’Brien, S, 2009, “The Taming of the Cat,” Scientific American, Vol 300, pp. 68-75.

Figure 1: From http://www.thegreatcat.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/catmummies.jpg. Accessed on 23/04/15.

Figure 2: Fromhttp://www.thegreatcat.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/deir-el-medina-19th-dyn-asholean-museum.jpg. Accessed on 23/04/15.

Figure 3: From http://www.ancientegypt.co.uk/gods/explore/bastet.html. Accessed 23/04/15

Figure 4: From http://www.thegreatcat.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/cat-under-chair-wallpainting-of-IpuyonlapofDuammeres1250BCDeirelMedina.jpg. Accessed on 23/04/15. 

Figure 1: Sphynx cat

The scientific paper “Breed-related Disorder of Cats” by Gunn-Moore et al discuses the negative consequences cats are being forced to endure due to selective breeding. In the past, cats have been very genetically diverse, as they are very un-selective when mating, and a wide variety of mates are often available. It was not until the 19^th century that humans began to take an interest in selectively breeding cats for desired features including coat quality, body and head shape, eye color, and size. The first cat show was held in the Crystal Palace in London in 1871. Since then, humans have created many new breeds of cat (Gunn-moore et al).

Figure 2: Munchkin cat

This study examines data given to the authors by veterinary clinics. It states that of the United Kingdom's 60 million cats, 10% of them are considered purebred. While this may not appear to be a significant figure of cats, one must remember that 10% of 60 million is a large number of 600,000 pure bred cats in the UK alone. A lot of cats are being purebred. Unfortunately, the breeding of such cats is having many negative consequences. Many cats are inbred, resulting in diseases and disorders being associated with certain breeds. Traits being purposely breed for are also having harmful affects on cats (Gunn-Moore et al).

Figure 4:Manx cat

Figure 3: Scottish Fold

Some examples of cat breeds suffering from the affects of artifice breeding include the Manx, Sphynx, Munchkin, and Scottish Fold breeds.  Manx cats have been breed to have a little stubby tail. However, the genes responsible for shorting the cat’s tail also shorten its spine, often resulting in severe arthritis and digestion problems. Sphynx cats are bred (for some strange reason) to be hairless. This often results in Sphynx cats getting sunburnt and chilled. Munchkin cats, though adorable, often develop arthritis in their unnaturally short legs. Scottish Folds are famous for their folded ears. Sadly, the genes that folds the cartilage in their ears can also fold the cartilage in other parts of their bodies, often resulting in damage to their limbs and tails (Gunn-Moore et al).

While some animal rights activists claim all selective breeding efforts on cats should be ended, the scientists in this paper believe that some forms of selective breeding are not harmful to cats and can result in better pets. They recommend breeding cats for traits such as behavior instead of traits, like folded ears, boldness, short legs, and short tails, that are linked to harmful physical defects. The authors do not recommend purchasing the above listed cats and instead suggest selecting a healthy and genetically diverse cat from a shelter (Gunn-Moore et al).

Works Cited:

 Gunn-Moore, D, Besssant, C, and Malik, R, 2008, “Breed-Related Disorders of Cats,” Journal of Small Animal Practice, Vol. 49, 4, pgs. 167-168.

Figure 1: From http://imgkid.com/cute-sphynx-cat.shtml obtained on 20/04/15.

Figure 2: From http://www.vetstreet.com/cats/munchkin obtaiend on 20/04/15.

 Figure 3: From http://www.catbreedsjunction.com/scottish-fold-cats.html obtained on 20/04/15.

Figure 4: From: http://www.biologycorner.com/APbiology/inheritance/11-6_lethal_alleles.html obtained on  20/04/15.