• Domestic cats were introduced to Europe about 2,000 years ago, contradicting previous beliefs.
• Genomic studies identify a relationship between cats and humans starting significantly later than 10,000 years ago.
• Research highlights the role of maritime trade and Roman armies in the spread of domesticated cats across Europe.

A recent genome study has revealed that domestic cats were introduced to Europe roughly 2,000 years ago, which significantly updates the scientific understanding of cat domestication. Researchers determined that this development coincided with the early imperial Roman era when trade flourished across the Mediterranean, and not during the Neolithic period as previously thought. Until now, it was believed that cats arrived in Europe about 6,000 to 7,000 years ago along with ancient Near Eastern farmers, but this new finding indicates a much later arrival, according to Reuters, ABC News, and BBC.

The study, published in Science, highlighted how genetic tests of cat remains uncovered from archaeological sites spanning from Europe to North Africa revealed that the earliest domesticated cats were found in regions connected with the Roman Empire. Researchers analyzed 225 cat bones, generating 70 ancient feline genomes. Their findings demonstrate that the initial misinterpretation of early cat remains from around 6,000 years ago stemmed from identifying wildcats rather than early domestic breeds, according to the study's author Claudio Ottoni, as reported by ABC News and BBC.

As sailors transported cats aboard ships to control rodent populations on grain vessels traversing the Mediterranean, their role evolved from wild hunters to essential companions. The findings emphasize that Roman military endeavors also significantly contributed to the distribution of cats throughout Europe. The analysis revealed notable genomic similarities between ancient and current domestic cats, particularly in regions like Italy, Serbia, and Austria, suggesting a shared origin, according to Reuters and ABC News.

This new timeline aligns with earlier hypotheses that domesticated cats evolved in a distinct context, occurring later than dog domestication, which dates back over 15,000 years, and primarily in ancient Egypt, where cats were revered in society and their burial customs. Prof. Greger Larson noted that the historical view needed adjustment, highlighting that cat domestication started approximately 3,500 to 4,000 years ago rather than the previously suggested 10,000 years, according to BBC.