JOURNAL ARTICLE

Did cult sacrifices in ancient Egypt give rise to the cat?

  • Published In: Sciencemag.org, 2025. P. N.PAG 1 of 3

  • Database: Applied Science & Technology Source Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Grimm, David 3 of 3

Abstract

Recent studies suggest that the domestication of cats may have originated in ancient Egypt through mass sacrifices tied to a religious cult, instilling tameness over generations. However, further analysis of ancient cat bones across Europe and the Mediterranean indicates that these animals were European wildcats, not domestic cats. The oldest genetically confirmed domestic cats are mummified Egyptian kitties dated to between 500 and 0 B.C.E., coinciding with a resurgence of a cult worshipping Bastet, an Egyptian goddess depicted with the head of a cat. The relationship between humans and cats likely began in ancient Egypt due to shared environments and mutual benefits, leading to the spread of domestic cats across Europe by the first millennium B.C.E. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Sciencemag.org. 2025/04, pN.PAG
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Social Sciences and Humanities
  • Publication Date:2025
  • Accession Number:184472527
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