Feline Silk Road: How cats arrived in China over 1,400 years ago (#270)
- Rick LeCouteur
- Mar 12
- 4 min read
The Silk Road was more than just a network of trade routes. It was a lifeline of cultural exchange, carrying goods, ideas, and even living creatures across continents. Among the many treasures that traveled along its dusty paths were domestic cats, which arrived in China around 600 C.E. as highly prized gifts.
Recent genetic research has provided the first concrete evidence of this feline migration, revealing how house cats made their way from the Middle East to China, where they quickly became beloved companions.
What Was the Silk Road?
The Silk Road was an ancient trade network that connected China, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Spanning from the 2nd century B.C.E. to the 15th century C.E., this vast web of caravan routes facilitated the exchange of silk, spices, precious metals, and cultural ideas between civilizations.
Merchants, explorers, and travelers, including Marco Polo, crossed vast deserts and mountains, bringing not only goods but also plants, animals, and even diseases across continents. It was through these trade routes that domestic cats, originally from the Middle East, found their way into China, marking a turning point in their global journey.
Cats and the Silk Road
The story of the domestic cat (Felis catus) begins around 10,000 years ago in Anatolia (modern-day Turkey), where Near Eastern wildcats started living alongside early farmers. These cats helped control rodent populations, earning their place in human settlements. Over time, they spread to Egypt and Europe, often accompanying traders, sailors, and travelers who valued their hunting abilities.
While the arrival of cats in Europe has been well-documented, scientists have long wondered when and how felines first reached China. A recent study has now traced the movement of domestic cats along the Silk Road, showing that they arrived in China around 600 C.E. Over 1,500 years after their introduction to Europe.
Unearthing the Past
For this groundbreaking study, researchers analyzed the remains of 22 cats from 14 archaeological sites across China, spanning roughly 5,000 years. They radiocarbon-dated the bones and identified two distinct feline species:
Felis catus: the domestic cat that descended from Middle Eastern wildcats.
Prionailurus bengalensis: the leopard cat native to China, which was never fully domesticated but lived among humans.
Of the 22 skeletons, 14 belonged to domestic house cats. DNA analysis revealed that all these cats shared a genetic signature known as clade IV-B. A lineage previously identified in a medieval Kazakhstani cat dating back to 775–940 C.E. This is the oldest known domestic cat found on the Silk Road and provides strong evidence that China’s early house cats originated from the Middle East, traveling eastward with traders.
The Mystery of the Leopard Cats
Before this study, some researchers speculated that China had independently domesticated its own breed of cats. In a 5,000-year-old village called Quanhucun, remains of small felines were found living close to humans, with one cat appearing to have been fed a diet of grain. This suggested that Chinese farmers recognized the value of these leopard cats as rodent hunters and may have cared for them.
However, these cats were not truly domesticated. Instead, they may have been on what archaeologists call the “doorstep to domestication.” These animals likely coexisted with humans without undergoing the same genetic and behavioral shifts seen in fully domesticated house cats.
From Exotic Gifts to Everyday Companions
While the leopard cats remained semi-wild, the newly arrived domestic cats were a different story. They were introduced to China as exotic gifts from foreign merchants, quickly becoming status symbols among the Chinese elite. These felines, likely sporting short white or partly white coats with long tails, were soon written into folklore and religious traditions.
Ancient Chinese households performed special rituals when bringing a cat into their home, treating them as honored guests rather than mere pets. Their mysterious, independent nature only deepened their allure. By the Tang Dynasty (618–907 C.E.), domestic cats were not only treasured by nobles but also featured in poetry and art.
Buddhist monasteries also embraced cats, valuing them as guardians of sacred scrolls. With their natural hunting instincts, they kept rodents away from valuable manuscripts, further cementing their place in Chinese culture.
Retracing the Silk Road: The Five Foot Road
For those fascinated by the history of the Silk Road and its travelers, my cousin Angus McDonald’s book, The Five Foot Road, (Angus & Robertson, Australia, 1995) offers a unique perspective. Angus, an Australian diplomat and writer, retraced the ancient trading route on foot, journeying through China and beyond. His book provides a vivid account of the landscapes, cultures, and people that shaped the Silk Road over centuries.
Much like the merchants who brought goods and animals, including cats, across vast distances, McDonald’s journey reflects the spirit of exploration and connection that defined this ancient trade network. Through his experiences, readers gain a deeper appreciation of the historical Silk Road’s enduring impact on modern China and the world.
Rick’s Commentary
The early Silk Road cats left a lasting imprint on China. The genetic legacy of those early travelers remains visible today. Many Chinese house cats still bear the same clade IV-B signature as their Silk Road ancestors.
Today, China has one of the world’s largest populations of pet cats, and their historical journey from the Middle East to China through trade routes continues to shape feline genetics. Whether prowling ancient palaces or curling up in modern city apartments, China’s cats owe their presence to a remarkable journey that began over a millennium ago.
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