Dig discovery is oldest 'pet cat'

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the archaeological discovery of a cat buried with a human in a Neolithic grave on Cyprus, which may indicate the early domestication of cats. Participants explore the implications of this finding regarding human-animal relationships and the treatment of cats in ancient times.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the burial of the cat with its owner indicates an early form of domestication, dating back 9,500 years.
  • One participant notes that the cat's skeleton shows no signs of butchering, implying it was treated as an individual in death.
  • Another participant raises the possibility that the cat may have been buried as a food source for the deceased, referencing evidence of humans consuming cats in similar contexts.
  • A humorous remark is made about the potential discovery of a toy mouse alongside the cat, suggesting a playful interpretation of the burial context.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying interpretations of the burial's significance, with some leaning towards the idea of domestication while others question the motivations behind the burial. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing views present.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the assumptions regarding the motivations for the burial or the broader implications of cat domestication. The interpretations depend on the context of archaeological findings and cultural practices of the time.

Ivan Seeking
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The oldest known evidence of people keeping cats as pets may have been discovered by archaeologists.

The discovery of a cat buried with what could be its owner in a Neolithic grave on Cyprus suggests domestication of cats had begun 9,500 years ago. [continued]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3611453.stm

When it comes to humans and cats I'm not sure just who domesticated whom. I know that ours either get what they want or they pester us to death. Also, I don't see the cats cleaning the toilet but guess what I get to do?
 
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It seems the eight-month-old cat in the Cypriot burial was killed in order to be buried with the person. The skeleton shows no signs of butchering, suggesting that it was treated as an individual in death.

But burnt cat bones from a similar period at the site, attest to the fact that humans did eat the animals on certain occasions.
So, maybe they just wasted the cat to bury with him so he'd have a SNACK! :wink:
 
Tsunami said:
So, maybe they just wasted the cat to bury with him so he'd have a SNACK! :wink:
I was thinking the same thing!
 
If they'd found a little pre-historic rubber mousie next to the cat I'd be sold!
 

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