Domestic cats and wildcats started mixing 50 years ago, study suggests

Researchers have found new archaeological and genetic evidence which they say transforms the understanding of the history of cats in Europe
Domestic cats and wildcats started mixing 50 years ago, study suggests

According to the findings, since their introduction, domestic cats and European wildcats generally avoided mating (Nick Ansell/PA)

Domestic cats introduced from the Near East and wildcats native to Europe did not mix until the 1960s, despite being exposed to each other for 2,000 years, a new study suggests.

Researchers have found new archaeological and genetic evidence which they say transforms the understanding of the history of cats in Europe.

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