New evidence: Cats have been our pets at least 9,500 years

A National Geographic article discussing an ancient burial find: 

The carefully interred remains of a human and a cat were found buried with seashells, polished stones, and other decorative artifacts in a 9,500-year-old grave site on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus. This new find, from the Neolithic village of Shillourokambos, predates early Egyptian art depicting cats by 4,000 years or more.

Tags: ancient, cat, feline, prehistoric

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Prog Rock Girl on June 27, 2010 at 7:09pm
So it's not just Egypt!
Permalink Reply by Jo Jerome on June 28, 2010 at 1:45pm
"Thousands of years ago, cats were worshiped as gods. And today's cats have not forgotten this."

Don't remember where I heard that but it rings truer now than ever!
Permalink Reply by Jo Jerome on July 14, 2010 at 4:13pm
Fred, I think this group might just qualify as the Atheist Cat Goddess Of Teasing Believers website.
Permalink Reply by Ruth Anthony-Gardner on October 10, 2011 at 12:07pm
Wait!
Permalink Reply by Steph S. on October 10, 2011 at 10:18pm
Love the LOL Ruth!
Permalink Reply by Little Name Atheist on June 28, 2010 at 11:53pm
I was pretty excited when i read this article a few years ago. It's a good addition.
Permalink Reply by aerie on July 1, 2010 at 5:10am
Cats are the militant atheists of the animal world. For them, being a god is so yesterday!

"Owners of dogs will have noticed that, if you provide them with food and water and shelter and affection, they will think you are god. Whereas owners of cats are compelled to realize that, if you provide them with food and water and shelter and affection, they draw the conclusion that they are gods."
— Christopher Hitchens (The Portable Atheist: Essential Readings for the Non-believer)
Permalink Reply by aerie on July 1, 2010 at 8:34am
You're probably right and it makes perfect sense. My cats only have usage of me for topping off the food bowl and opening closed doors for them!

As for me, I'm genetically unable to resist a kitten, so whatever ape or cave woman I'm related to passed those genes on down to me!
Permalink Reply by Little Name Atheist on July 10, 2010 at 2:30pm
Heh. Me too. About the only time I apply the word "cute" is to cats and kittens.
Permalink Reply by Jo Jerome on August 8, 2010 at 5:35pm
As for me, I'm genetically unable to resist a kitten, so whatever ape or cave woman I'm related to passed those genes on down to me!

While I'm the daughter of a man totally indifferent to cats and a woman who was literally phobic of being touched by them.

So somehow my kitten-cuddling genes must have skipped a generation.
Permalink Reply by Jo Jerome on July 14, 2010 at 4:14pm
"Owners of dogs will have noticed that, if you provide them with food and water and shelter and affection, they will think you are god. Whereas owners of cats are compelled to realize that, if you provide them with food and water and shelter and affection, they draw the conclusion that they are gods."
— Christopher Hitchens (The Portable Atheist: Essential Readings for the Non-believer)


I've always sooooo loved that very true observation!
Permalink Reply by Dorris Journeay on October 10, 2011 at 11:40am
Christopher Hitchens is spot-on.  Cats never slavishly follow humans - humans follow them!

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