Domestic cats are hugely popular as pets, yet little is known about their ancestor, the Afro-Asiatic wildcat. This species, Felis lybica, is the most widely distributed wildcat in the world, but ... The origins of domestic cats β€” centuries before they conquered the world’s sofas and internet memes β€” have long been murky.

Understanding the Context

Now, ancient DNA is helping to fill in the blanks, and the findings shake up ... For years, the early history of domestic cats, long before they curled up on couches or dominated the internet, has been uncertain. New ancient DNA research is now reshaping that story. Archaeologists ...

Key Insights

AOL: Where did house cats come from? Ancient DNA shakes up their origin story Where did house cats come from? Ancient DNA shakes up their origin story Yahoo: DNA Reveals Cats in Ancient China Were a Different Species Altogether When archaeologists unearthed small cat bones in China dating back some 5,400 years, they figured cats had been hanging out in early Chinese farming settlements since the Neolithic Period. Now, a ... MSN: Ancient DNA hints cat companionship began as a temple economy, not a farmhouse