The domestic cat is descended from wild cats that were tamed twice - in the Near East and then Egypt, according to the largest study of its kind.
Farmers in the Near East were probably the first people to successfully tame wild cats about 9,000 years ago.
Then, a few thousand years later, cats spread out of ancient Egypt along maritime trade routes.
Today, cats live on all continents except Antarctica.
Scientists think wildcats began hanging around farms to prey on mice attracted to grain stores, starting the long relationship between humans and felines.
"There were two taming events - one in the Near East at the beginning and one in Egypt much later," said lead researcher Eva-Maria Geigl.
"And then the cat spread very efficiently all over the ancient world as a ship's cat. Both lineages are now present in modern cats."
More:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-40306897And a sly dig at dog lovers from the article ....
"There was very little breeding and selection going on in cats up the 19th Century, in contrast with dogs," said Dr Geigl. "The cat was useful from the very beginning - it didn't have to be changed."
@Freya - one for the ping list!
