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Nazca Vessel with Spotted Cat Design
Double-spouted vessel with a spotted cat. Mythical creatures are frequently depicted on Nazca vessels. Combinations of multiple elements result in a wide range of forms. The spotted cat figure represents the pampas cat, native to the south coast of Peru. From Nasca, Peru, c. 200-300 CE.
National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh.
Questions & Answers
When and where were cats first domesticated?
- It is unknown where cats were first domesticated, but it has been established they were so by c. 12,000 BCE in Mesopotamia.
Where did domesticated house cats come from?
- Domesticated house cats came from wild cats and it has been established that wild cats lived among humans 100,000 years ago in Mesopotamia. These wild cats eventually befriended humans and were domesticated by them.
Were dogs or cats domesticated first?
- Dogs were domesticated before cats. According to some cat owners, cats have never actually been domesticated.
Which ancient civilization is most closely associated with cats?
- Ancient Egypt is the civilization most closely associated with cats as one of their most popular goddesses, Bastet, was envisioned as a cat or a woman with a cat's head.
Add External Link
External Links
The History of the Domestic Cat
alleycat.org
The Evolution of House Cats | Scientific American
scientificamerican.com
The Origins Of Cats | International Cat Care
icatcare.org
Ship's Cat - National Maritime Historical Society
seahistory.org
