Overview
- The Science study, led by Claudio Ottoni, analyzed 225 archaeological bones from 97 sites and generated 70 ancient cat genomes spanning roughly 11,000 years.
- Results confirm domestic cats derive from the African wildcat, revising earlier mitochondrial-based narratives that tied their spread to early farmers in the Near East.
- Genomes reveal at least two introductions from North Africa into Europe: about 2,200 years ago to Sardinia and about 2,000 years ago across the continent.
- The oldest genomically confirmed domestic cat in Europe comes from Mautern, Austria, dated to 50–80 BCE at a Roman military site.
- Researchers infer Roman trade and transport—such as grain ships and military movements—facilitated dispersal, and the ERC‑funded Felix project will sequence more North African samples through 2026 to refine the origin and timing.