Ancient cat breeds. Cats in ancient times in different countries of the world American shorthair cat

It is generally accepted that cats were domesticated in Ancient Egypt around the 20th century BC (Middle Kingdom, 12th Dynasty). However, discoveries made in Cyprus show that everything happened much earlier. 9,500 years is the age of the remains of domestic cats found during excavations of Neolithic settlements.

Cyprus has always been an island, the distance between it and the nearest shore ranged from 60 to 80 kilometers. There is no evidence that there were native wild cats in Cyprus. This means they got here along with people. Were these cats already domesticated? Archaeologists believe so. During excavations of the ancient settlement of Shillourokambos, 6 km from Limassol, a cat was found buried next to a man.

Shillourokambos was a fairly large settlement, in which life did not stop for a thousand years - from the end of the 9th to the end of the 8th millennium BC. Most of the buildings from those times have not survived, but numerous ditches, pits and wells are literally teeming with stone artifacts and animal bones. There are also human graves – both group and single.

In one of these graves, located under an ancient dwelling, a joint burial of a man and a cat was found. Around human skeleton stone axes, polished stones and flint tools were laid out. And at his feet, carefully covered with a layer of twenty-four sea shells, rested a cat - or she-cat - of the breed Felis Silvestris Lybica. Osteological analysis showed the cat’s age to be approximately 8 months. The gender could not be determined.

The age of the grave would be approximately 9500 – 9200 years. The rich (by the standards of that time) decoration of the grave testifies to the high social status deceased. It is possible that the kitten could have been killed in order to be buried next to its owner. Honestly, if it weren’t for the “high status” of the burial, nothing would have remained of the kitten’s bones over 95 centuries.

Cats may actually have had a high status among the pets of the Middle East during the early Neolithic era. Their stone or clay figurines were found during excavations in Turkey, Syria and Israel. The carved stone head of a cat found at Shillourokambos (and which became its archaeological symbol) is even older than the remains of the kitten.

Before humans climbed to the top of the food chain, wild cats were the most powerful and successful hunters. Even today, these huge predators evoke fear and at the same time admiration in a person who is not their competitor in the hunt. And yet, prehistoric cats were much better in all respects, especially when it comes to hunting. Today's article presents the 10 largest prehistoric felines.

The prehistoric cheetah belongs to the same genus as today's cheetahs. His appearance was very similar to appearance modern cheetah, but its ancestor was many times larger. The giant cheetah was more reminiscent of a modern lion in size, because its weight sometimes reached 150 kilograms, so the cheetah easily hunted larger animals. According to some data, ancient cheetahs were capable of accelerating at speeds of up to 115 kilometers per hour. The wild cat lived in the territory of modern Europe and Asia, but could not survive the Ice Age.

This dangerous animal does not exist today, but there was a time when xenosmilus, along with other predatory cats, headed the planet's food chain. Outwardly, it was very similar to a saber-toothed tiger, but unlike it, xenosmilus had much shorter teeth, which were similar to the teeth of a shark or a predatory dinosaur. The formidable predator hunted from ambush, after which it instantly killed the prey, tearing off pieces of meat from it. Xenosmilus was very large, sometimes its weight reached 230 kilograms. Little is known about the habitat of the beast. The only place where his remains were found was Florida.

Currently, jaguars are not particularly large in size; as a rule, their weight is only 55-100 kilograms. As it turned out, they were not always like this. In the distant past, the modern territory of South and North America was filled with giant jaguars. Unlike the modern jaguar, they had longer tails and limbs, and their size was several times larger. According to scientists, the animals lived on open plains together with lions and some other wild cats, and as a result of constant competition they were forced to change their place of residence to more wooded areas. The size of a giant jaguar was equal to a modern tiger.

If giant jaguars belonged to the same genus as modern ones, then European jaguars belonged to a completely different one. Unfortunately, today it is still not known what the European jaguar looked like, but some information about it is still known. For example, scientists claim that the weight of this cat was more than 200 kilograms, and its habitat was countries such as Germany, England, the Netherlands, France and Spain.

This lion is considered a subspecies of lion. Cave lions were incredibly large in size, and their weight reached 300 kilograms. Terrible predators lived in Europe after the Ice Age, where they were considered one of the most dangerous creatures on the planet. Some sources say that these animals were sacred animals, so they were worshiped by many peoples, and perhaps they were simply feared. Scientists have repeatedly found various figurines and drawings depicting a cave lion. It is known that cave lions did not have a mane.

One of the most terrible and dangerous representatives wild cats prehistoric times - this is homotherium. The predator lived in the countries of Europe, Asia, Africa, South and North America. The animal adapted so well to the tundra climate that it could live for more than 5 million years. The appearance of Homotherium was noticeably different from the appearance of all wild cats. The forelimbs of this giant were much longer than the hind limbs, which made him look like a hyena. This structure suggests that Homotherium was not a very good jumper, especially unlike modern cats. Although homotherium cannot be called the most, its weight reached a record 400 kilograms. This suggests that the animal was larger than even a modern tiger.

The appearance of a mahairod is similar to that of a tiger, but it is much larger, with a longer tail and huge knife fangs. Whether he had the stripes characteristic of a tiger is still not known. The remains of the mahairod were found in Africa, which indicates its place of residence; in addition, archaeologists are convinced that this wild cat was one of the largest of those times. The weight of the mahairod reached half a ton, and in size it resembled a modern horse. The predator's diet consisted of rhinoceroses, elephants and other large herbivores. According to most scholars, the appearance of the mahairod is most accurately depicted in the film 10,000 BC.

Of all the prehistoric wild cats known to mankind, the American lion ranks second in popularity after Smilodon. Lions lived on the territory of modern North and South America, and died out about 11 thousand years ago at the very end of the Ice Age. Many scientists are convinced that this giant predator was related to today's lion. The weight of an American lion could reach 500 kilograms. There is a lot of controversy about its hunting, but most likely the animal hunted alone.

The most mysterious animal on the entire list was in second place among the largest cats. This tiger is not a separate species; most likely, it is a distant relative of the modern tiger. These giants lived in Asia, where they hunted very large herbivores. Everyone knows that today tigers are the largest representatives of the cat family, but today there are no tigers as large as in prehistoric times. The Pleistocene tiger was unusually large sizes, and according to the found remains, he even lived in Russia.

The most famous representative of the cat family of prehistoric times. Smilodon had huge teeth like sharp knives and a muscular body with short legs. His body slightly resembled that of a modern bear, although he did not have the clumsiness that a bear has. The predator's stunningly built body allowed it to run at high speed even over long distances. Smilodon died out about 10 thousand years ago, which means they lived at the same time as humans, and perhaps even hunted them. Scientists believe that Smilodon attacked prey from an ambush.

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The British Shorthair is a cat that can't help but inspire admiration. And that’s why they often ask: “Where did these amazing animals come from?” Oddly enough, this is one of the most ancient cat breeds. Many legends are associated with it. According to one of them, in ancient times, this breed was bred by monks in one of the monasteries in Britain. They also say that british cats for a long time used by sailors as rat catchers. Considering their powerful jaws, this is easy to believe. And they also have a wide, muscular body on thick. This probably helped to stay on the deck while rocking. Of course, in recent decades, felinologists have worked on the appearance of the British Shorthair breed, and, in my opinion, very successfully. At the moment, this is a luxurious animal with plush (mouton) fur, a round, cheeky head, a powerful body and orange eyes. And one of the most valuable qualities is that this breed has good health and requires virtually no personal care. In addition, they are calm and balanced, have an easy-going character and are surprisingly intelligent. The fact that this is currently one of the most popular cat breeds speaks for itself.

Abyssinian cat

Abyssinian cats also belong to one of the most ancient breeds of domestic cats. The ancestor of the breed is considered to be the Zula cat, brought to England in 1868 from North Africa, presumably from Ethiopia (formerly called Abyssinia).
There is a version according to which Abyssinians come from ancient Egypt, where cats were considered sacred, divine creatures that only pharaohs had the right to possess. However modern research have facts confirming the similarity of the Abyssinian cat with native breeds from Southeast Asia.
In 1896, the Abyssinian breed was officially registered with the National Cat Club of Great Britain and received further development in England and then in the USA.
Nowadays, Abyssinians are very popular in Europe, the USA, Canada and Australia, but are still very rare in Russia. Fortunately, in recent years our interest in these wonderful cats has increased. Elite producers were imported from Europe and America, which creates good prospects for further breeding of this breed in Russia.

Angora cat

As historical evidence shows, Angora, or Ankara, cats are also oldest breed semi-longhaired cats, which arose naturally and has long been known to our ancestors.

The first historical mention of Turkish Angoras dates back to the 16th century, when they were first taken to Europe, namely to France, and from there to other countries.
Once in France, Angora cats were at one time called French and crossed with early Persians, as a result of which the heavier type and some traits characteristic of the Persians of that time began to predominate in the breed.
The true Angora type gradually began to be lost and remained in its pure form only in Turkey, but in the USA the breed was revived again, taking cats straight from the Ankara Zoo. But to this day you can find Angoras with a heavier build - descendants of those same “French” ones.

The Turkish Angora is very beautiful. This is a graceful, elegant animal with graceful features and a memorable appearance. By nature she is rather phlegmatic. The Angora is calm and calm, somewhat slow, and reluctant to switch from one activity to another. This cat loves to run around the house. She is infinitely devoted to her owner, “taciturn,” very smart and friendly, and feels great in the company of other pets. In addition, the Turkish Angora is excellent at showing off at an exhibition and showing off in front of people.

The homeland of this breed is Türkiye, where white semi-longhaired cats have been bred for many centuries. The name of the breed - Turkish Angora - comes from the name of the capital of Turkey, Ankara (early

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There are more than 250 breeds of cats in the world: hairless and fluffy, wayward and friendly, affectionate and freedom-loving. But there is one thing that unites them all: they are incredibly beautiful. Anyone who wants to make a meowing friend can adopt a kitten from a shelter, or buy one from an elite nursery.

We are in website We became interested in how much the rarest cat breeds cost, and, to be honest, we were surprised. We invite you to find out prices for the most exotic representatives of the cat world.

Norwegian forest cat

The ancestors of this cat were bred by the Vikings 2,000 years ago. Cute and fluffy, this cat can withstand severe cold and is an excellent hunter. The price of a kitten varies from $600 to $3,000.

Himalayan cat

This breed is very similar to the Persian, but differs in blue eyes and color point coloring (light body with a dark muzzle, paws, ears and tail). This breed was developed in 1950 in the USA. Himalayans are affectionate, obedient and friendly cats with a calm nature. A kitten of this breed will cost $500–$1,300.

Scottish lop-eared

The calling card of this breed is its cute ears, which do not stick out upward, like those of ordinary cats, but hang down. This unusual detail of their appearance is a consequence of a gene mutation. This smart cats who get along with everyone in the family and are never averse to playing. Another one distinctive feature of this breed - they know how to stand on their hind legs and look at what interests them. A kitten costs from $200 to $1,500.

Peterbald

The Peterbald, or St. Petersburg Sphynx, was bred in Russia in 1994. These elegant cats have a slender body, a long head shape and large, set-back ears. The body may be bald or covered with down. Cats have an affectionate and sociable character and are easy to train. Such a kitten will cost $400–1,200.

Egyptian Mau

The appearance of these cats has changed little in 3,000 years - since the times of Ancient Egypt. The spotted color of this breed appears not only on the coat, but also on the skin. To become the owner of an ancient Egyptian cat, you need to spend $500–1,500.

Maine Coon

This is one of the most large breeds cats. Representatives of this breed can weigh from 5 to 15 kg, and the body length of an adult Maine Coon can reach 1.23 m. But despite their formidable appearance, these are affectionate, gentle and playful animals. The price of a giant kitten varies between $600–$1,500.

Laperm

This is one of the most unusual breeds, which appeared in 1980 in the USA. In addition to their curly hair, cats of this breed have another feature: they are hypoallergenic, so they are perfect for families with allergies. A kitten of this breed costs $200–2,000.

Russian Blue

Serengeti

This breed was developed in 1994 in California. She belongs to large cats: the weight of an adult Serengeti is 8–12 kg. They have a strong build, large ears, spotted coloration and very long legs. You can buy such a cat for $600–$2,000.

Elf

This young cat breed was bred in the USA in 2006. Elves are very friendly, intelligent, mischievous, sociable, inquisitive and loyal creatures. Those wishing to purchase such a unique pet will have to pay a considerable amount - $2,000.

Toyger

This large cat breed resembles a tiger in color, which is how it got its name. The creator of the breed claims that the Toyger was bred to inspire people to care about the conservation of tigers in wildlife. You can get inspired to save tigers for $500–$3,000.

American Curl

This breed was developed in California in 1981. Newborn kittens are difficult to distinguish from ordinary cats, but by the 10th day of life their ears curl back like small horns. This feature touches hundreds of thousands of people around the world. You can join the curl enthusiasts for $1,000–$3,000.

Bengal

This breed was developed by crossing an Asian leopard cat with a domestic cat. These cats love to swim, and despite their impressive size (4–8 kg), they often climb onto their owner’s shoulders. You can buy a mini leopard for $1,000–$4,000.

Safari

This rare breed appeared due to the crossing of an ordinary domestic cat and a South American wild cat Geoffroy. The first representatives of the breed were bred in the United States in the 1970s to study leukemia. The weight of an adult cat is on average 11 kg. You can become the owner of a pet predator for $4,000–$8,000.

Khao-mani

The earliest mention of this breed is in the Tamra Maew, or Cat Book of Poems (1350–1767). In ancient Siam, kao-mani lived only in royal families and were considered a symbol of good luck, longevity and wealth. You can buy an oriental talisman for $7,000–$11,000.

Most of the animals domesticated by man were needed as a source of food, as protection, and as hunting assistants. In this sense, the cat found itself in a paradoxical situation: it seems that the person turned out to be useful to the cat, so she threw in her lot with him. Each country has its own cat history...

Scientists do not have a consensus on when the cat was domesticated, we can only say that it most likely happened at least 5,000 years ago. In different parts of the world this happened in its own way, but the result of this process was the same everywhere: the cat, having lived next to the man of the millennium, retained the charming wildness, independence and charm of the little panther.

Domestic cat most likely appeared in Ancient Egypt, as evidenced by archaeological excavations in Nubia, on the west bank of the Nile. In Egypt around 2000 BC. there was a religious cult of the cat: the Egyptians did not consider any cat a deity, but they believed that some gods could be incarnated in the form of a cat.

It was in this image that the supreme deity of Ancient Egypt - the sun god Ra - defeated the serpent of darkness. The goddess of joy and fun, Bast, was depicted either as a cat or as a woman with a cat's head.

Killing a cat was considered a crime: intentionally killing a cat was punishable by death. All members of the family in which a cat died shaved their eyebrows as a sign of mourning.

The Egyptians were already breeding cats at that time, choosing pairs that were suitable for their character. Cats were trained to collect killed birds while hunting in the swamps of the Nile Delta.

Residents of Egypt tried to prevent the export of cats outside the country, however, along with the borrowing of some beliefs and traditions, the soldiers of the Roman Empire began to export cats from Egypt as cult animals. In Rome, the undoubted benefits of cats, which caught mice and also snakes, were soon recognized.

Europe

The history of cats in Europe was not as cloudless as in Ancient Egypt. After the fall of the Roman Empire and with the strengthening of Christianity in Europe, the fate of cats changed dramatically. From cult animals they turned into fiends of hell and the embodiment of Satan. Pope Innocent VII ordered the Inquisition to persecute cat worshipers; heretics were accused of performing religious rites involving cats.

Women who had cats, especially black ones, were recognized as witches and sorceresses, for which they were often sent to the stake. The mania for persecuting cats and their owners spread to Puritan America, where high-profile witch trials took place in the 17th century.

Simultaneously with the mania of persecution in Catholic Europe there was a belief in magical cats- matagots, bringing happiness and prosperity to the home. Remember Puss in Boots - this is a typical matagot, who came from Charles Perrault’s fairy tale from folklore. Cats are a favorite literary character and in English-language literature, R. Kipling, Mark Twain, Edgar Allan Poe wrote about them.

Thailand

As the story goes, cats enjoy extraordinary freedom and honor in Thailand. And here you can see a cat literally everywhere: in store windows, on the dinner table, in temples and houses.

To the very popular breeds In the world there is one that originated in Thailand - Siamese, because it was here that the kingdom of Siam was located.

Presumably, the Siamese appeared here about 600 years ago and were very rare and revered. It was believed that graceful, long-faced Siamese cats are conductors of the souls of those who died in afterworld, which is why most taki cats lived in temples.

According to legend, Siamese cats received Blue eyes from the Buddha himself as a sign of loyalty for the protection of the monasteries.

Siamese cats were present at religious and state ceremonies, in particular the coronation of monarchs. Separate dwellings were built for them and special food was prepared.

The tradition of feeding is still alive in the country street cats, to whom the owners of shops, restaurants, and cafes take food out onto the street. Accustomed to such treatment, cats in Thailand are not afraid of people.

Nowadays, siamese are called cats not only of the traditional color-point color, but also of other colors: solid, tabby, tortoiseshell. These cats are distinguished by a graceful body on high legs, an elongated muzzle, large ears, all of which are united under common name"oriental". Orientals don't necessarily have eyes blue color. These are the most “talkative” cats, with a loud, demanding voice, and their behavior is somewhat reminiscent of dogs: it is known that, like dogs, they can bring slippers or toys to their owner.

In addition to the Siamese cat, there is another indigenous breed in Thailand - the Korat. This is a short-haired, blue-gray cat with a heart-shaped head, named after the city where it was first discovered.

Russia

In Rus', from time immemorial, the cat lived next to man and was part of his familiar world. The first cats were brought to Russia in the 11th century, and in the territory of modern Ukraine, the remains of cats dating back to the 5th-7th centuries were found. Cats in ancient Rus' They were considered a luxury item, cost a lot and were highly valued.

“In contrast to Europe, where cats were outlawed, in Russia cats were even allowed to enter temples, as they were considered “clean” animals. Traditionally, in Rus' a dog has a place in the yard, and a cat in the house. Merchants even competed to see whose cat was more well-fed. "

And in Kustoidev’s paintings, next to curvaceous ladies, you can see cats to match them.

In addition to imported cats, Russia also had a native breed. This, of course, is a Siberian cat: the only breed for which only nature worked on its selection. That is why Siberians are extremely hardy, healthy cats, and they are also one of the largest cat breeds. Nature has created a variety of colors for Siberian cats, rewarded them with luxurious manes and luxurious fur, which requires almost no care. Living indoors, this cat will sleep sweetly most of the day, spreading its powerful paws with tufts of hair between its toes. And a Siberian, leading a more free lifestyle, living in the countryside, will actively hunt, not only mice and rats, but also larger game, including ferrets.

Siberian cats have not long been recognized as an independent breed, but have already earned the interest of breeders and lovers of these magnificent cats with character all over the world.