Cat In History - Timeless Pets

Cat in history goes back to 9500 years in terms of its relationship with man. Yes, it is as old as the human civilization itself. Cats have been one of the favorite subjects among writers and artists across nations.

Although the exact history of human and cat interaction remains hazy, some sort of picture does come up. A gravesite was found in Cyprus in 1983 which had the remains of a man and a cat. This gravesite dates back to 7500 BC, the Neolithic period. This finding suggests that cats were domesticated or tamed during that period, since a cat is not native to Cyprus. Vikings used to catch rats with cats.

Cat in History - Ancient Egypt

Egyptians used cats to contain the vermin populations during the harvest time. Cats were thus domesticated in ancient Egypt and they were taught to live with human population. Earlier, cats used to be wild and untamed species. Cats were knows as miw then.

Middle Ages

Cat in history during middles ages is quite dark. Cats were killed massively during this age since they were considered as one of the forms of the devil. That could have been because cats are independent and aloof by nature. The mass killing also lead the spread of plague since the rodent population rose as a result of the cat massacre. After this, Hywel Dda, the king of Wales made it illegal to harm or kill a cat.

Renaissance

During the renaissance period, cats were either burnt alive or thrown off buildings during the festival period. In those times, cats were considered to be close associates of witches. You can see this in Macbeth's Greymalkin.

Europe

Cat in history of Europe dates back to the 12th century. According to European folklores, a cat could suffocate a newborn baby with its nose. In England, a jury found that a cat killed a newborn baby with its nose, by sucking the breath. The reason stated was that a cat is attracted to the milk in an infant's month. However, the truth is that a cat prefers water, unless it is raised on milk. Some people in Europe still believe that black colored cats are unlucky if one crosses a human's way. Some, however, believe that black cats are lucky. It is believed that cats have nine lives.

Japan

In Japan, cats are referred to be omens of good fortune or good luck. According to a legend in Japan, a cat showed a sword to a property owner. Intrigued, the property owner started waling towards the cat and there a lightning stroke at the place where the property owner was standing earlier. Since then, cats have become a symbol of good luck.

Cat In History Of Zoological Nomenclature

In 1758, Carouse Linnaes, a life scientist gave the name Felis Catus to domestics cats. As domestic cats are distant relatives of wild cats, domestic species are subspecies of fera cats. According to International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, domestic cat species are called as F Silvestris Catus and wild cats are called as F Silvestris.

Cats are mammals and they come under the carnivores order since they eat meat. Cat in history also includes Pumas, domestic cats, cheetahs, ocelot, lynx that come under the subfamily of Felinae. The big cats, tigers, lions, jaguars and leopards come under the subfamily Pantherinae.