The article “Earliest Evidence for Commensal Process of Cat Domestication by Hu et al examines the origin of domesticated cat and when domesticated cats were introduced into China. This study was completed by looking at fossils from settlements of the Yangshao peoples from Shaanzxi China (Hu et al).

Figure : Ancient Egyptian art featuring a cat 

            Hu et al acknowledges and supports the idea that the wildcat felis silverstris lybica is the common ancestor of domesticated cats, and that domesticated cats were present in civilizations throughout the Fertile Crescent as early as 9,5000 years ago. Semi-domestication occurred here, as wild cats were drawn to the rodents in cultivated fields. The ancient Egyptians fully domesticated the cat by creating a loving bond with it, rather then simply tolerating it for rodent killing services.  This is believed to have occurred in Middle Kingdom Egypt 4,000 years ago, as evidenced through Egyptian paintings. Though it was illegal to trade cats in Egypt, it is believed Greece eventually obtained Egyptian cats 3,000 years ago, and from there, they spread throughout the world. Until recently, it was believed cats appeared in China 2,000 years ago (Hu et al).

Figure 2: Pottery from the Yangshao Culture

            The Yangshao civilization was located in Northern China and dates back to 6,000-5,000 BP. It was a well-devolved culture with buildings, pottery, and cultivated fields of millet and rice. There is evidence that rodents were present in these fields, as tunnels to food storage areas have been found. Recently found bones and teeth have been identified as belonging to cats. Examination of these bones revealed to Hu et al that the bones belong to domesticated cats, not Asian wildcats. Further examination of the bones revealed that many of the cats were quite old when they died, and that their diet had consisted of plant based food along with meat.  This evidence implies that these cats were cared for and feed by humans, suggesting a fully domesticated relationship. These bones date back 5,300 years ago, proving that domesticated cats have been present in China 3,000 years earlier than previously thought. Whether the origins of these animals are previously domesticated cats from Egypt or independently domesticated from felines of the Fertile Crescent is unclear. This new information calls for a re-examination of the spread of domesticated cats (Hu et al). 

Works Citied: 

Hu, Y, Hu, S, Wang, W, Wu, X, Marshall, F, Chen, X, Hou, L, and Wang, C, 2013, “Earliest Evidence for Commensal Process of Cat Domestication,” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, Vol 111, 1 pp. 116-120.

Figure 1: Available from http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/ancient-near-eastern-world/cats-in-ancient-egypt/, obtained 10/05/15

Figure 2: Available from http://www.chinaheritagequarterly.org/articles.php?searchterm=010_genetalia.inc&issue=010, obtained 10/05/15