https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/cats-pet-egypt-cult-sacrifice-temples-bastet-b2734079.html
Meow....
Yep I would happily sacrifice a few of the surplus cats around here. ;)
Interesting that Bastet was originally lion headed, I did not know that.
Why do we keep cats? Because my wife, daughters and granddaughters say we do. I suggest this as a universal theory on the domestication of cats from ancient times till now. It may also explain any increase in the production fermented beverages to assuage the ego of paternal family unit when his objections are ignored.
;D
All seems highly questionable to me; I think they are probably reversing the order of religious offering and useful, low maintenance domesticated animal. Why do you sacrifice an animal to a god? Because it has a perceived value. Cats keep your grain stores less nibbled by rodents. They are also cute and, when they can be arsed, ostensibly affectionate. They are not really suitable for pastoralists as they are less mobile than, say, a dog, and not much use at keeping wolves and lions at bay unless named Greebo. But once you settle down and start cultivating cereals...
Ditto chickens. I highly doubt that people started to domesticate chickens to offer to a god. They kept chickens for eggs, meat, feathers, and then thought that they ought occasionally to offer one to the god because it was a sacrifice of something useful. And not forgetting that in many cultures, you got to eat the animal after the sacrifice once the god (and priest) had had his share.
Just to say that having been honoured by the presence of a genuine farm cat, I agree with David. They are a valuable member of the team. They may exhibit some signs of domestication but these aren't compulsory 8)
We humans tend to get domestication of cats wrong because we see it from our perspective. In fact, at some point in prehistory, the King of the Cats summoned a council on the way forward. This drew up a list of requirements for their future comfort. These included warm, dry sleeping places, a fire to keep warm in winter, a constant supply of food and staff at their beck and call. They agreed the best way to achieve this was to domesticate the ape-descendants.
all too true...
The unique thing about domestic cats is that they've evolved over time to look comfortable. Once they moved out of barns, their main role in life was to lounge around snoozing in a warm place, and the strange thing is that the more they do that, the more their humans appreciate them.