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.