Page 82 - 2006 DT 12 Issues

Cats DNA mutations, a team of researchers Although Cyprus is the earliest
from the National Cancer Institute in known region in which cats were do-
"Even the smallest of felines is Frederic, Maryland, reported in the mesticated, probably to protect grain
a masterpiece." — Leonardo De Vinci January 6, 2006 issue of Science, has stores from mice, it is possible that
identified a common cat-like ancestor domestication occurred in more than
mong the remains of Shillouro- which lived in Asia 11 million years one place and one time. The Egyptians,
kambos, an archaeological site ago. Its descendents have migrated at who also were either domesticators or
Aon the Mediterranean island of least ten times during that period to importers of domesticated cats, vener-
Cyprus, a small grave is unearthed. In it every corner of the world, except for ated them. Their bodies were as lovingly
lies the skeleton of a small cat, roughly Australia and Antarctica where cats are mummified as those of their owners.
8 months old. Close by, there is a larger not native. With each migration, new Early Neolithic societies in the
grave containing a human skeleton Middle East bestowed special status on
along with various grave offerings and the cat, as illustrated by stone or clay
a pit containing seashells. The cat had figurines found at sites in Syria, Turkey
been intentionally buried alone, as an and Israel. One such figurine was also
individual, not collectively with other found in Shillourokambos.
animals as in nearby graves. Could the Legends and myths abound about
cat have been a beloved pet? the cat in many cultures. But in Europe
The sediments in which the graves during the Middle Ages, cats came to
were found dated to between 9,500 and be considered evil and were blamed for
9,200 years ago. The finds, uncovered spreading the Black Death. Old women
during ongoing excavations in 2004 by with cat companions were condemned
the team of Jean-Vigne of the CNRS- as witches who morphed into cats to do
National Museum of Natural History
in Paris, confirmed what scientists have the devil’s work. Such is the mystique
suspected for some time: that people of these night-prowling animals.
brought either wild or domesticated Although man may have “created
cats to Cyprus more than 9,000 years the dog” as a creature quite different
ago, about 5,000 years before the from ancestral wolves, little separates
Egyptians were reputed to have tamed species and lineages evolved to create the house cat from his jungle relatives.
and bred felines. all modern cats. He is a panther in miniature, a skilled
In the April 9, 2004 issue of the The first of the 37 species of the hunter who often presents his human
journal Science, Vigny states, “The as- family Felidae—the lion, jaguar, companion with the gift of a mouse,
sociation of [a human] grave with both leopard, tiger, and snow and clouded bird, lizard or other unfortunate victim.
seashells and a cat grave strengthens leopard—appeared when the Panthera Unlike the dog, the cat does not
the idea of a special burial, indicat- lineage diverged from the progenitor serve. He is an equal, lying by your
ing that a strong relationship existed about 6.4 million years ago. They were hearth as a matter of accommodation.
between cats and people.” The burial quickly followed by three Asians—the Ask politely and he might only “con-
testifies that this relationship was not bay cat, marbled cat, and Asian golden sider” your request, not because he is
merely pragmatic, but also involved cat, and three Africans—the caracal, unwilling or unloving, but because he
spiritual links. cerval and African golden cat. The last understands his place—and yours—in
The origin of the house cat and and most successful cat of all to appear the cosmos. And why not? Cats, after
its wilder relatives has been a bit was the house cat, or Felis silvestris all, “are the most successful preda-
confounding to taxonomists due to catus, about 6.2 million years ago. tors alive today—other than us,”
the sparse fossil record and the lack Cats thrive as predominantly desert said Stephen O’Brien, chief of the
of distinctiveness in many of the creatures, having spent most of their Laboratory of Genomic Diversity.
skulls. But through a 10-year study of early history in arid lands. Respect must be rendered. 

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