2. Cats in the Ancient World
Joshua J. Mark . (2012). Cats in the Ancient World LAST ACCESSED 5th February
2018.
https://www.ancient.eu/article/466/cats-in-the-ancient-world/
SUMMARY
This article is essentially a quite detailed description of how cats were
domesticated and used throughout history, predominantly ancient history. It
goes through history from Ancient Egypt to modern day and explains
symbolism, uses and domestication in different societies. Also, it explains
where they came from and how they got to where they are today. There is
quite a focus on Ancient Egypt who essentially worshipped the cat.
AUTHOR
The author is this article is very credible for the information he has given and
there isn’t much need to justify his sources/information. Joshua J. Mark “is a
A freelance writer and former part-time Professor of Philosophy at Marist
College, New York, Joshua J. Mark has lived in Greece and Germany and
travelled through Egypt. He has taught history, writing, literature, and
philosophy at the college level.” The website also reviews every article for
accuracy and accuracy.
TAGS
Cats, ancient history, Greece, domestication, November 2012, Charles
Dickens, witchcraft, mummification, Mesopotamia, 9500BC, Cyprus, Ancient
Egypt.
FURTHER RESEARCH
To further research I could read more into how cats were used and
domesticated in ancient Egypt. I could also research more into Mesopotamia
Screenshot from Article
3. Quotes (Cats in the Ancient World by Joshua J. Mark. Appeared on Ancient History Encyclopedia on 17th November 2012)
“Wild cats are now known to have lived among the people of Mesopotamia over 100,000 years ago and to have been
domesticated there approximately 12,000 BCE at about the same time as dogs, sheep, and goats.”
“Archaeological excavations in the past ten years have provided evidence that the Near Eastern Wildcat is the closest relative
of the modern-day domestic cat and was bred by Mesopotamian farmers, most probably as a means of controlling pests, such
as mice, which were attracted by grain supplies.”
“…discovery in 1983 CE of a cat skeleton in a grave dating to 9,500 BCE on the island of Cyprus.”
“The cat’s association with ancient Egypt, however, is understandable in that Egyptian culture was famous for its devotion to
the cat.”
“Mummified cats have been found at Bubastis and elsewhere throughout Egypt, sometimes buried with, or near to, their owners
as evidenced by identifying seals on the mummies.”
“The Romans regarded the cat as a symbol of independence and not as a creature of utility. Cats were kept as pets by both
Greeks and Romans and were regarded highly.”
“Cats are thought to have been brought to Europe by Phoenician traders who smuggled them out of Egypt.”
“…the Christian Church, following their regular course of demonizing important pagan symbols, drew on the pre-existing link
between the cat and witchcraft to associate cats with evil as personified in the Devil.”
“Many writers of the age owned and admired cats. Charles Dickens was so devoted to his cats that he allowed them into his
study”
“The Egyptians are also responsible for the very name `cat’ in that it derives from the North African word for the animal,
“quattah”, and, as the cat was so closely associated with Egypt, almost every other European nation employs variations on this
4. Where Do Domestic Cats Come From? (Video)
SciShow (2016). Where Do Domestic Cats Come From? LASTACCESSED – 5th February 2018
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53Jb7Y6eUUU
SUMMARY
This video is providing a brief, informative description of where the domestic
cat came from. He discussed one possible explanation as to where domestic
cats came from and then provided a counter argument for where else they
could have come from. This is a helpful, non bias approach which used facts,
figures and scientific studies to back up everything he was saying.
SOURCES
Hank Green, who is the creator of this video, has listed all of the sources he
has used down below. The sources used are sciencemag.com, PNAS.org,
smithsonianmag.com, slate.com, journals.plos.org. After reading through a
few of the sources I have decided that they are credible sources, most
written by journalists or organisations devoted to science or history (such as
PNAS, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United
States of America).
TAGS
Domestic cat, fertile crescent, Ancient China, Cyprus, SciShow, Hank Green,
October 2016, wild cat, leopard cat.
FURTHER RESEARCH
I would like to further research into the two different explanations as to where
cats where domesticated. Also I would like to research what the Fertile
Crescent was.
5. Quotes (Where Do Domestic Cats Come From? by Hank Green. Appeared on SciShow on 20th October 2016)
“The oldest probably domestic cat skeleton we’ve found was in 2001 on the island of Cyprus.”
“Scientists guessed that this cat lived around 9,500 years ago, which makes sense historically. That’s after
people started farming fertile crescent.”
“And we think this cat from Cyprus was a pet for a couple of reasons. First of all, Cyprus is an island with no
native cats, so someone must have brought them over on a boat. If they weren't a little tame that would have
been a mess. Plus the cat was buried with its owner.”
“Those researchers found that our feline friends are most closely related to the wildcat Felis silvestris,
specifically, the Near Eastern subspecies. So lots of signs point to the domestic cats splitting off from their
wildcat cousins in the Fertile Crescent.”
“Some other scientists discovered probably-domestic cat bones in 2001, in an ancient millet farming village in
Central China. A close computer analysis of jaw bone shapes showed that these cats weren’t related to the
wildcat at all. Instead they were a kind of leopard cat – which is an entirely different genus.”
“So what's the real story? The Middle Eastern of the Chinese Domestication of cats? Well, there’s no reason that
domestication couldn’t have happened twice in two separate places with two separate cat species when people
started farming grain.”
“But remember, genetically, all of our modern cats seem to be descended from the wildcat, not the leopard cat.”
6. 10 Facts About Cats in Ancient Egypt (Video)
Cat Lessons (2016). 10 Facts About Cats in Ancient Egypt LASTACCESSED – 5th February 2018
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uQJF45UQqE
SUMMARY
This is short brief video which is stating 10 facts about cats in
Ancient Egypt. This video touches on how cats were treated within in
Ancient Egypt, their role and results of hurting/killing a cat as they
were highly regarded.
SOURCES
This video doesn’t list any sources for me to read through and to
show that they have taken this information from a credible source.
They also do not use facts to back up their facts in the video. This
could mean that this informational video isn’t too credible or useful
unless I went and backed up the facts myself.
TAGS
Cats, death, mummification, Ancient Egypt, Cat Lessons, rodents,
worshipping, hieroglyphs, facts, ten.
FURTHER RESEARCH
To further research I would like to find out more about cats in Ancient
Egypt and their role. I would like to know how they were worshipped.
7. Quotes (10 Facts About Cats in Ancient Egypt by Cat Lessons.Appeared on Cat Lessons on 13h November 2016)
“Ancient Egyptians were first captivated by cats for their rodent hunting skills.”
“They thought cats were sacred animals with magical powers.”
“Because cats were associated with several gods, they were mummified after death.”
“Cats were often trained to fetch birds on hunting excursions and get fish from the marshes of the Nile.”
“Keeping a house cat would protect the home and bring good luck.”
“Dreaming about a cat would also bring good fortune.”
”When a house cat died its owner would grief by shaving their eyebrows.”
“Killing a cat, even accidentally, could lead to a death sentence.”
“Smuggling cats was also a crime punishable by death.”
“Most modern day pet cats are related to pet cats from Ancient Egypt.”
8. A Brief History of Cats from Mesopotamia to Modern Day
Kiona Smith-Strickland. A Brief History of Cats from Mesopotamia to Modern Day LASTACCESSED – 5th
February 2018
https://www.petcentric.com/articles/training-and-behavior/brief-history-of-cats-mesopotamia-to-modern-day/
SUMMARY
In this article, as suggested by the title, the author gives us a brief
history of cats and where they came from. The author focuses on
Mesopotamia and then goes on to discuss how they were respected
in the rest of history. She touches on how opinions of the cat
changed from worshipping them to relating them to witchcraft.
SOURCES
Kiona Smith-Strickland is a freelance science and technology which
implies that she will have done lots of research before writing this
article. Although she has not listed her sources, I could Google a lot
of the things she is stating and back them up with credible sources.
TAGS
Mesopotamia, cat, witchcraft, superstitious, Rome, Egypt, history,
hunting, rodents, Hierankonpolis, Pharoahs.
FURTHER RESEARCH
To further research from here I would like to find out more about cats
roles in Ancient Egypt. I would also like to look into cats
resemblance in witchcraft and superstitions.
9. Quotes (A Brief History of Cats from Mesopotamia to Modern Day by Kiona Smith-Strickland.Appeared on Petcentric)
“The history of cats intersects human history about 12,000 years ago, when people in Mesopotamia —
now part of Iraq — first took up farming and settled in permanent villages. To survive, these villages
depended on stored grain, which was constantly threatened by scavenging rodents. The rodents made
abundant prey for wild cats, who moved into human villages to hunt.”
“It didn't take long for cats to join human villages in Lebanon, Iran, Turkey, and Egypt. Even before Egypt
had pharaohs, it had cats.”
“Egyptian wall paintings show people caring for cats, and cats were considered sacred to the goddess
Bastet, who was often depicted as a woman with a cat's head.”
“Cats reached China around 5,300 years ago. In one ancient village in central China, carbon isotopes
found in the bones of ancient cats indicate that the cats had been eating creatures that had eaten millet,
the local grain crop. Later, cats in China also helped protect manuscript collections from rats.”
“In Europe, cats had a more turbulent history. The ancient Romans held them in high regard and thought of
them as symbols of liberty…”
“…but during the Middle Ages, most people associated cats with witchcraft. By the 1700s, the
Enlightenment had begun to triumph over superstition, making Europe a better place to be a cat.”
“European colonists even brought cats with them to North America and Australia.”
10. Here Are 15 Rare Species of Wild Cats That You
Probably Didn’t Know Existed
Boredom Therapy. Here Are 15 Rare Species Of Wild Cats That You Probably Didn’t Know Existed
LASTACCESSED – 6th February 2018
http://boredomtherapy.com/rare-wild-cat-species/
SUMMARY
This article is a list of 15 rare species of wild cats that most people probably
have never heard of or don’t know much about. There are images under the
name of the cat and then below is a description of the cat. The article
provides a brief description of the whereabouts, lifestyle, their size,
conservation status and how threatened the cat is.
SOURCES
There are no sources provided, but the story is written by someone who
works for the website. They usually have to do significant research before
they can post a story. Also, I did some background research on the African
Golden Cat which backed up everything stated here by Tom Carlson. I also
researched into some of the other cats further to back up what the author
had said, and he is correct.
TAGS
Rare, endangered, Boredom Therapy, wild cats, African golden cat, feline,
threatened, species, cat, black-footed cats, sand cat, wild.
FURTHER RESEARCH
I would like to do some further research into some endangered cat breeds,
possibly from this list here. I could research into the sand cat or into the
11. Quotes (Here Are 15 Rare Species of Wild Cats That You Probably Didn’t Know Existed by Tom Carlson. Appeared
on Boredom Therapy)
“Andean Mountain Cat - this species of wild cat native to the Andes mountains in South America is rarely
ever seen, let alone photographed. Scientists estimate there are only about 2,500 of them left. They are
about the size of a large house-cat, and there are none currently in captivity.”
“The sand cat calls Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and western Asia home. They have fur that grows
between their toes, a feature that’s usually reserved for arctic cats, that insulates their paws against the
hot sand.”
“The African Golden Cat is native to the rainforests of west and central Africa. It isn’t always golden, and
has colors ranging from cinnamon to melanistic. It prefers moist, dense forests and is commonly found
near rivers. It mainly hunts at night and like most other cats is a solitary creature. Its reclusive nature
means it’s extremely hard to spot in the wild.”
“Bornean Bay Cat – this wild cat, listed as endangered, is native to the island of Borneo. Little is known
about them because they are so rare. They are nocturnal and secretive, and from 2003 to 2006 scientists
set up trap-cameras to spot the animals, and only came back with one photo.”
“The Kodkod is the smallest cat in the Americas and primarily is found in central and southern Chile. The
tiny animal weighs between 4.4 and 5.5 lbs as an adult, and is listed as vulnerable. They are excellent
climbers who feed on rodents, birds, and lizards.”
12. Bastet
Ancient History Encyclopedia (2016). Bastet LAST ACCESSED – 6th February 2018
https://www.ancient.eu/Bastet/
SUMMARY
This article is a fairly detailed description of who Bastet was and how
she related to the cat. The meaning of the name is explained and
what Bastet was associated with. Further along the article Bastet’s
role in religion and iconography is explained and a old story is told.
The worship of Bastet is also discussed and her popularity.
SOURCES
The author of this article is the same author who wrote “Cats in the
Ancient World”, which we have already declared as a very credible
source. He is a professor in relevant subjects and has travelled
around the relevant countries. Also the editorial team reviews each
piece for accuracy and credibility. The author has referenced various
credible & reliable texts and people (such as the scholar Richard H.
Wilkinson) throughout this article.
TAGS
Bastet, religion, Egypt, goddess, women, meaning, iconography,
Greeks, Ancient Egypt, 2nd Dynasty, protector, dead, warrior.
FURTHER RESEARCH
No further research needed on cats in Egypt or gods/goddess’.
13. Quotes (Bastet by Joshua J. Mark. Appeared on Ancient History Encyclopedia)
“Bastet is the Egyptian goddess of the home, domesticity, women's secrets, cats, fertility, and childbirth. She protected
the home from evil spirits and disease, especially diseases associated with women and children.”
“As with many Egyptian deities, she also played a role in the afterlife as a guide and helper to the dead although this
was not one of her primary duties.”
“Bastet is sometimes rendered in art with a litter of kittens at her feet but her most popular depiction is of a sitting cat
gazing ahead.”
(Scholar Geraldine Pinch. Article by Joshua J. Mark. Appeared on Ancient History Encyclopedia on 24th July
2016)
“Both Bastet and Sekhment took their early forms as feline defenders of the innocent, avengers of the wronged, from
Mafdet. This association was carried on in depictions of Bastet's son Maahes, protector of the innocent, who is shown
as a lion-headed man carrying a long knife or as a lion.”
“In Bastet's association with Mau, she is sometimes seen destroying the enemy of Ra, Apophis, by slicing off his
head with a knife in her paw; an image Mau is best known by.”
“Bastet became more of a familial companion, she lost all trace of her lionine form, and was regularly depicted as a
house cat or a woman with the head of a cat often holding a sistrum. She is sometimes rendered in art with a litter of
kittens at her feet but her most popular depiction is of a sitting cat gazing ahead.”
“Bastet appears early in the 3rd millenium BCE in her form as an avenging lioness in Lower Egypt. By the time of the
Pyramid Texts (c. 2400-2300 BCE) she was associated with the king of Egypt as his nursemaid in youth and protector
14. Endangered Wild Cats
Big Cats Wild Cats (2016). Endangered Wild Cats LAST ACCESSED – 19th February 2018
http://bigcatswildcats.com/endangered-wild-cats/
SUMMARY
This article is basically explaining the different levels of
conservation status and what it means for the different animals,
in this case cats. There is a detailed description of what
’Critically Endangered’ means and what ‘Endangered’ means.
There is also a list of critically and endangered cats.
SOURCES
Although there are no sources listed, this is quite a reputable
website and organisation to go by. They appear to carry out
research on cats. On their website they displayed information
about lots of different cats and the latest news about cats.
TAGS
Wild cat, conservation status, endangered, critical, least
concern, population, mature, individuals, near threatened,
decline, extinct.
FURTHER RESEARCH
I would like to further research into different endangered cats
and find one for each continent.
15. Quotes (Bastet by Joshua J. Mark. Appeared on Ancient History Encyclopedia)
“A “critically endangered” species has experienced a loss in population of 80% or more over the past 10 years or the
past three generations, whichever time period is longer. “Critically endangered” can also mean an 80% population
reduction that is expected to take place in the next 10 years (or next three generations). A species can also be labeled
“critically endangered” if it has become extremely fragmented (living in scattered locations or even a single location).
Other criteria that is used when listing a species as critically endangered includes:
• A population of less than 250 mature individuals with an expected continuing decline of 25% over the next three
years (or one generation), and severely fragmented or living in a single location.
• A population of less than 50 mature individuals
• There is a 50% change of extinction within the next 10 years or three generations.”
“A species is listed as “endangered” when there is a high risk of extinction with a population reduction of at least 50%
over the next 10 years or three generations, the species’ population is severely fragmented and can only be found in
no more than 5 locations. Other criteria can include:
• The population has less than 2500 mature individuals with an expected decline of 20% within 5 years or two
generations, the population is fragmented or the species only lives in one location.
• There are less than 250 mature individuals
• There is a 20% chance of extinction within 25 years or five generations.”
“Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris ssp. sumatrae) – Critically Endangered”
“Snow leopard (Panthera uncial) – Endangered”
“Iberian lynx (Lync pardinus) – Critically Endangered”
16. Big Cats
BBC (2018). Endangered Wild Cats LASTACCESSED – 19th February 2018
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p05q59zk/ad/big-cats-series-1-episode-1#
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5jm3Rgg6VPBqRzhgN819j52/meet-the-cats
SUMMARY
This is an ongoing documentary into the lives of big cats all
across the world. They cover the lives of 21 cats. The first
episode allows us to meet all the different cats they will be
talking about and all the different lifestyle requirements of each.
There is real footage of the cats with a narrator.
SOURCES
This documentary is made by the BBC which is an incredibly
reliable and credible source. To produce this documentary they
would have had to travel to each area to find that specific cat
and film them. There would have been lots of research, real life
experience and scientific data that would have gone into this TV
series.
TAGS
BBC, documentary, big cats, wild cats, Tiger, Africa, predator,
BBC One, Asia, continent, lifestyle.
FURTHER RESEARCH
To research further into individual cats from the documentary
17. Caracal
San Diego Zoo. Caracal LAST ACCESSED – 19th February 2018
http://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/caracal
SUMMARY
This is an article all about Caracals of Africa. There is a
description of the who the cat is, their habitat and diet, family life,
conservation and (because this is an article written by a zoo)
some history on the Caracal at the zoo. There is also a section
which write about their size, their young and some fun facts.
SOURCES
There isn’t a list of sources, however I feel this is a reliable
source to go by because is written by the zoo of San Diego.
They will deal with these animals on a daily basis and will be
professionals in this area. In other words, they will know a lot
about different animals and have the correct amount of
knowledge to write such articles.
TAGS
Africa, wild cat, Caracal, zoo, San Diego, captivity, small cats,
fast, predator, feline, habitat, Savanna.
FURTHER RESEARCH
To research another big cat from a different continent.
18. Quotes (Caracal by San Diego Zoo. Appeared on San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants)
“With their sleek, streamlined body, short, reddish gold coat, and dramatic markings on the face, caracals are among the most
beautiful of wild cats.”
“Caracals are the heaviest and also the fastest of the small cats and are the largest of the small cats in Africa.”
“The most noticeable feature of a caracal is its long, black ear tufts, or tassels. There are many theories about the function of the
ear tufts. The tufts may help keep flies out of the cat’s face or help to camouflage the caracal in tall grass by breaking up the
outline of the cat’s head. However, the most widely accepted theory is that the cat twitches its ear tufts as a way to communicate
with fellow caracals.”
“The caracal ranges across Africa and the Middle East to India. It is keenly adapted to the potentially harsh environments of
savanna, semi-desert, dry woodland, arid hilly steppe, and dry mountains."
“All cats must eat meat to survive. Caracals hunt at night but are not picky and eat any animal they can catch, sprinting after
mongooses, rodents, hyraxes, dik diks, and monkeys.”
“These agile cats have amazing jumping abilities, leaping up to 10 feet (3 meters) to swat a flying bird.”
”Caracals keep their claws sharp to help them capture their prey. They sometimes climb trees and even stash their catch in the
branches for a later meal.”
“Like the rest of the small cats, caracals may purr when content and make a variety of other mews, growls, and hisses to express
their mood. Caracals are usually silent, but can cry out like a leopard, if needed.”
“Caracals are generally solitary, patrolling and aggressively defending their territory. Most caracals come together only to mate,
and the male does not stay to help raise the young. Caracal mothers make a den in an abandoned aardvark or
