Description
In the Predynastic Period, the Egyptians began establishing permanent settlements, including granaries. This marked the first steps toward interaction with wildcats. The Egyptians recognized the African wildcat (Felis Sylvestris Libyca) as a skilled hunter. They observed it killing mice and rats, but also hunting dangerous snakes. This encouraged cats to mingle more with people. The granaries were teeming with rats and mice that ate the grain, and dangerous snakes could lurk anywhere. It is unknown exactly when the first African wildcats were domesticated. This likely occurred around 5000 BCE, during the Naqada I Period. The domestic cat (Felis Sylvestris Catus) is genetically closely related to the African wildcat. From the Middle Kingdom onward, the domestic cat evolved into a full-fledged family member, acquiring both economic and companion status. Rats, mice, and snakes were also common in and around houses, so the expansion of their range from the grain silos to the houses was a logical step. From the Third Intermediate Period onward, the worship of the cat as a divine manifestation increased. This is evident from the construction of several shrines for the cat goddess Bastet. However, at the beginning of the Common Era (from 30 AD onward), Egyptian religion lost ground to the emerging Christianity, and with it the status of the cat declined. Sources: – The Cat in Ancient Egypt – J. Malek
