Archaeologists discover secret behind why we keep cats as pets
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The dark reasons humans keep cats as pets, according to the experts
- New research suggests cats first became human companions in ancient Egypt, not Cyprus as previously thought.
- DNA analysis reveals that the feline remains found in a 9,500-year-old Cypriot grave belong to a European wildcat, not a domesticated cat.
- Scientists now believe cat domestication occurred around 3,000 years ago in Egypt, possibly linked to mass ritual sacrifices of wildcats for the goddess Bastet.
- Temples dedicated to Bastet were often located near agricultural lands, where wildcats would have preyed on rodents, potentially fostering closer relationships with humans.
- The cult of Bastet may have played a role in the spread of domesticated cats, similar to how other cults influenced the dispersal of certain animals.