Early Domesticated Cats
The mystery of how various animals, including cats, became domesticated has long puzzled researchers. Previously, the earliest evidence of domestic cats came from ancient Egyptian art reaching back approximately 4,000 years. A new archaeological discovery in China changed this view, though, with wildcat remains showing that the animals lived in close tandem with farmers in the area. The researchers believe that the cats came to the area due to an infestation of rodents that were eating farmers’ grain. Over time, the cats and humans became closer due to the mutually beneficial relationship they developed.