Archaeologists have potentially uncovered the oldest evidence of cat domestication, dating back 9,500 years to a Neolithic grave in Cyprus where a cat was buried alongside its owner. The cat, an eight-month-old, showed no signs of butchering, indicating it was treated as an individual in death. However, evidence of burnt cat bones from the same period suggests that humans did consume cats at times. This raises questions about the nature of the human-cat relationship, with some humorously speculating on whether cats were domesticated by humans or vice versa. The discussion highlights the complexity of early human interactions with cats, blending care and utility.
