Ancient DNA Rewrites the Narrative of Cat Domestication

A new study suggests domestic cats arrived in Europe far later than once believed—and the Roman military may have played a major role in their spread. Research published in Science examined the genomes of 70 ancient cats from archaeological sites across Europe and Turkey, along with DNA from 17 modern wildcats in Europe and North Africa, to trace how domestic cats migrated across continents.

Earlier theories held that cats traveled into Europe with Neolithic farmers roughly 6,000 years ago. But the new genetic evidence indicates a much more recent introduction, aligning with the expansion of the Roman Empire, according to Popular Science. The findings show that domestic cats (Felis catus) originated in North Africa and began spreading widely as Roman influence grew, reaching Britain by the 1st century AD, per reporting from CNN.

Researchers suggest Roman soldiers likely brought cats with them as a practical tool for controlling rodents—continuing a relationship that began when wildcats were first drawn to human settlements by abundant grain stores and the pests they attracted.

A separate study published in Cell Genomics adds that domestic cats arrived in China by around 730 AD, likely carried along trade routes such as the Silk Road. In China, however, an entirely different species—the leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis)—had lived alongside humans for thousands of years, from at least 5,400 years ago until around AD 150, though it was never fully domesticated. Similarly, feline remains found in Europe dating earlier than 200 BC belonged to undomesticated European wildcats (Felis silvestris), which may have coexisted with people but had not yet entered into a true domestic partnership.

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