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.