Who did humans tame first: a cat or a dog? - briefly
Humans domesticated dogs first. The earliest evidence of dog domestication dates back around 15,000 years ago, while cats were not domesticated until approximately 10,000 years ago.
Who did humans tame first: a cat or a dog? - in detail
The debate over which animal was domesticated first by humans, the cat or the dog, has been ongoing for many years. To accurately address this question, it is essential to consider the historical and archaeological evidence available.
Dogs were likely the first animals to be domesticated by humans. Archaeological records indicate that dogs have been associated with human settlements for at least 15,000 years. The earliest known remains of domestic dogs date back to the late Pleistocene era and were found in various regions across Europe and Asia. These ancient dogs exhibited morphological differences from their wild wolf ancestors, suggesting they had already undergone significant changes through selective breeding by humans.
In contrast, the domestication of cats occurred much later. The earliest evidence of cat domestication comes from a site in Cyprus, where cat remains were found alongside human settlements dating back to around 9,500 years ago. This discovery suggests that cats began to be domesticated by humans during the Neolithic period, when agriculture was becoming more prevalent. The domestication of cats is believed to have occurred independently in different regions, with multiple wild cat species contributing to the gene pool of modern domestic cats.
The process of cat domestication differed from that of dogs. While dogs were likely domesticated for their utility in hunting and companionship, cats may have been drawn to human settlements by the abundance of rodents and other small prey attracted to human food stores. Over time, humans would have selectively bred cats for desirable traits such as docility and adaptability to indoor living.
In summary, based on available archaeological evidence, dogs were domesticated first by humans, with the earliest known remains dating back around 15,000 years. Cats followed later, with the earliest evidence of cat domestication dating back about 9,500 years. Both animals have played significant roles in human history and continue to be valued companions today.