Caturday 88: Out of Africa and Around the Globe

I have stumbled upon a very interesting YouTube channel: Sleepy Time History. Their presentations are usually several hours long and designed to help put you to sleep and not keep you on the edge of your seat. However, they are often so interesting that I would like to stay awake, so, I will sometimes switch to them during the day.

After having heard more than one anthropological podcast on the rise of our homo species, which I found both very informative and interesting, I came across two podcasts about cats. I am not sure that I kept awake all of the way through either one, but I found them interesting, and since it is Caturday, I will post a bit of what I think I remember, but don't bet your academic thesis on any of this without further corroboration. ;-)

Although there are various species of small cats in the world, every single cat of our somewhat domesticated variety is, like humans, African in origin — every single one, all over the world, and, apparently, the DNA from modern cats varies very little from that of the African wildcat.

The descent of cats from Africa is a complex and fascinating story. Genetic evidence suggests that domestic cats (Felis catus) are descended from the African wildcat (Felis lybica ). (Google AI)

African wildcat, Felis lybica 

Cats became honoured and domesticated in Egypt, probably at least 10000 years ago. This came about as part of the Agricultural Revolution, for as humans began to store grain, rodents were attracted and their numbers boomed. In turn, the plentiful rodent numbers attracted the African cats (Felis lybica). By feasting on the rodents, the cats became a great boon to human civilization by helping to preserve the harvest while also reducing rodent-generated disease.

Over time, the cats became venerated by the Egyptians, and I believe that one fact that I heard in my sleepy state was that a temple was discovered that had the remains of 30 000 cats — all embalmed, if you please.

Although cats were greatly favoured and protected in Egypt, some found their way onto boats, quite possibly smuggled in some cases, and they began to populate themselves throughout the Mediterranean region. For the same reason as before - rodent control - Felis lybica became important in Rome, both on land and on their hundreds of boats. They made as far as Britain by the first century CE and also to East Asia via caravan trade routes. 

The cats managed well wherever they went, living on the edges of humanity. Then, something unfortunate happened in 1233 when Pope Gregory decreed that associated cats—particularly black cats— might be used of Satan and demonically linked along with their humans. 

This became a very unfortunate time for, perhaps millions, of cats who were killed, and it has been said that some were tortured. If more cats had been around, perhaps the Black Death would have at least been mitigated somewhat, for with fewer rats, there would have been fewer fleas to transmit the dreaded disease.

Fortunately, the Reformation and Renaissance were beneficial for cats, and they then spread to the rest on the world on ships, just as they had earlier spread throughout the Roman Empire.

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I love the Sleep Time History YT channel and think it is possible that you might too.

Relaxing history explorations designed to help you unwind and fall asleep. Discover ancient civilizations, forgotten empires, and incredible human stories - told in a calm, soothing voice. Learn while you rest. Our stories are crafted with respect for history. We use AI tools to assist with research, script drafting, narration, and imagery, while we polish the final narrative. Our videos blend research with creative storytelling designed for entertainment and relaxation. They are not intended as formal academic or scientific sources. All images are AI-generated artistic impressions and may not represent actual historical people or events.

Two links to Sleepy Time Cat History

How Cats Chose Us: The Secret History of Feline Domestication | History for Sleep 

The ENTIRE History Of Cats | 10,000 BC To Today | HISTORY FOR SLEEP