Ancient China's Feline Neighbors: Leopard Cats Before the Arrival of Domestic Felines

Groundbreaking new research published in the journal Cell Genomics confirms a fascinating aspect of ancient Chinese history: for at least 3,500 years, human inhabitants shared their environment with wild leopard cats, the species Prionailurus bengalensis, long before the introduction of domesticated Felis catus to the region. A team of scientists, including Shu-Jing Luo from Peking University, conducted an in-depth DNA analysis on twenty-two samples of feline bone remains. These remains were recovered from fourteen distinct archaeological sites scattered across China.

The earliest evidence of these leopard cats dates back approximately 5,400 years, with their presence traceable up to 150 CE. This extensive timeline points to a prolonged period of close, yet distinctly non-domesticated, interaction between humans and these wild animals. The findings paint a vivid picture of coexistence rather than ownership.

This enduring connection, spanning over three and a half millennia, suggests that Prionailurus bengalensis occupied a crucial ecological niche right alongside human settlements. It is highly probable that these wild predators served as effective natural pest controllers, keeping rodent populations in check. This service indirectly safeguarded the agricultural stores of early farming communities, providing a tangible benefit to the local populace. Unlike their later domesticated counterparts, the spread of leopard cats during this era was not actively managed by people, underscoring their status as truly wild neighbors.

Researchers emphasized that leopard cats, which are native to South, Southeast, and East Asia, did not interbreed with domestic cats in the wild during this ancient period. This conclusion is strongly supported by the complete absence of any hybrid remains found within these older archaeological strata. The genetic lines remained clearly separate.

The analysis uncovered a significant chronological gap, nearly six centuries long, separating the last known leopard cat remains (around 150 CE) from the initial archaeological evidence of Felis catus (approximately 730 CE). This distinct time separation offers compelling proof that the leopard cats were not the direct ancestors of modern domestic cats in China. The later arrivals, the domestic cats, show a genetic affinity to the African wildcat, Felis lybica. These domestic animals likely reached the region much later, possibly transported by traders traversing the Great Silk Road.

Shu-Jing Luo suggested that the domestication of Felis catus may have become more relevant as agricultural practices expanded, particularly during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE). During this period, the reliance on wild predators for pest control might have naturally diminished. The very first domesticated cat recovered in the sample dates to the eighth or ninth century CE. It was unearthed in Tongwan, a vital hub on the western Silk Road in China. This discovery reinforces the theory that the proliferation of Felis catus was intrinsically linked to trade routes and cultural exchange, rather than stemming from an independent domestication event within East Asia, which appears to have been the case for the native leopard cats.

Ultimately, the history of felines in China reveals two distinct chapters of human-animal interaction: an extended period of peaceful coexistence with an indigenous wild species, followed by the eventual replacement of that species by a domesticated newcomer arriving through external trade networks.