Cats: A History of Growth and Domestication
The Viking Age: Cats as Companions and Commodities
During the Viking Age, cats were prized companions for their pest control abilities. However, they also faced a dark fate, as their pelts were often used as clothing by Norse seafarers. This practice has yielded a wealth of ancient cat skeletons, providing valuable insights into the history of human-cat relations.
A Surprising Discovery: Cats’ Growth Over Time
A recent study published in the Danish Journal of Archaeology revealed a surprising discovery: domesticated cats have grown in size over time. Unlike most animals, which tend to shrink during domestication, cats have experienced a 16% increase in size since the Viking Age.
Possible Explanations for the Growth
The reasons for this growth are still unclear, but researchers have proposed several plausible explanations. One possibility is that cats have access to greater food availability, either through human waste or deliberate feedings. Another theory suggests that the shift in culture from treating cats as fur-providing and rodent-catching animals to beloved indoor pets has contributed to their larger size.
The Timeline of Cat Domestication
The exact timeline of cat domestication is still debated, but researchers have identified two distinct waves of feline expansion. The first wave occurred as early as 4400 B.C., with cats spreading from southwest Asia into Europe and the Middle East. This lineage originated in the Fertile Crescent, the birthplace of agriculture.
The second wave consisted of an Egyptian lineage that spread across Africa and Eurasia as early as 1700 B.C. Viking cats belonged to this lineage, and their remains have been found at Viking trading ports on the Baltic Sea, indicating their role in pest control on ships.
Cats: Uniquely Suited for Domestication
Despite their reputation for being solitary creatures lacking social hierarchies, cats have a unique advantage over other wild animals: their facial features resemble human infants. This has allowed them to become charming and endearing companions, rather than mere nuisances.
The Role of Human-Cat Relations
By the late Middle Ages, cats had become treasured house pets, thanks in part to their ability to reduce the energy they expended on finding food. However, it is still unclear whether changes in diet or genetic shifts triggered their growth in size. Researchers are investigating ancient cat DNA to shed light on this question.
The Future of Cat Domestication
The future of cat domestication remains uncertain, but the bond between humans and cats has undoubtedly shaped feline evolution. As our understanding of cat domestication continues to grow, we can appreciate the unique qualities that have made cats such beloved companions throughout history.
