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Why were cats kept in ancient human settlements?

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Domesticated yaks carrying supplies in colorful bundles walk along a rocky mountain trail toward Everest Base Camp, with snow-covered peaks in the background in Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal. — Domestication Domesticated yaks (*Bos grunniens*) carrying supplies to an Everest base camp in Sagarmatha National Park, Khumbu region, Nepal.

The association between humans and cats began approximately 10,000 to 15,000 years ago, coinciding with the rise of agriculture in the Middle East. While cats were sometimes used as a source of meat and pelts, their presence in early human settlements was primarily driven by a relationship of mutual need.1

As humans transitioned from hunter-gatherer lifestyles to farming, they stored grain that attracted rodents. Cats were naturally drawn to these settlements to hunt the pests, providing humans with essential protection for their food supplies. Beyond this utilitarian role of pest control, humans also kept cats for the pleasure of their companionship.12

Over time, this bond deepened, as evidenced by archaeological findings such as a 9,500-year-old burial in Cyprus containing both a human and a cat. In ancient Egypt, this status evolved further; cats were transformed from useful predators into revered symbols of divinity, cherished as protectors and talismans of good fortune.12