WHY ARE CYPRUS CATS SPECIAL?
Cyprus cats are considered special. This is primarily due to the ancient history that surrounds them. Dating back over 9,500 years, archaeological evidence suggests that Cypriot eastern wild cats may be the oldest domesticated cats in the world. These cats are also tied to SAINT HELENA OF CONSTANTINOPLE. She is said to have brought hundreds of them to the island in the 4th century to combat a plague of snakes. Physically, Cyprus cats also differ slightly from other known domestic breeds. They are known for being athletic, hardy, and excellent hunters. They also often possess a thick, weather-resistant coat that has developed to handle the island’s diverse terrain and weather.
A WORTHY & UNIQUE CAT STORY
AN ISLAND OF CATS
Cyprus has proved to be an ideal breeding ground for this feline species. Cat populations have thrived as a result across the island, and Cyprus is also known as the ‘island of cats’ in some circles. Current estimates put the Cyprus cat population at around 1.5 million. This means that the island’s cat population currently outnumber their human counterparts across the island.
THE EASTERN WILDCAT
Ancient writings indicate that Cyprus has a long association with cats. Going back several thousand years, archaeological data recovered from the Neolithic site of SHILLOUROKAMBOS support these writings. Excavations at the site include a grave containing decorative artefacts and the remains of an eastern wildcat buried alongside a human. As the earliest known cat grave in the world, this find indicates that a human-to-cat collaboration existed on the island as far back as 7,500 BC.
SAINT HELENE OF CONSTANTINOPLE
Most scholars believe that Cyprus’s wildcats from this era are the ancestors of the island’s modern-day feline incarnations. Other experts in this field, however, disagree with this theory. Although this remains an open question for debate, most agree that CYPRUS CATS today are definitely linked to the actions of SAINT HELENA OF CONSTANTINOPLE. The earliest known written record of cats in Cyprus refers to how SAINT HELENA OF CONSTANTINOPLE shipped hundreds of them to the island in the year 328.
THE MONASTERY OF SAINT NICHOLAS OF THE CATS
SAINT HELENA OF CONSTANTINOPLE took action after Cyprus suffered a serious 37-year drought in the early part of the fourth century. The Akrotiri Peninsula of Limassol was particularly affected, giving way to a venomous snake infestation that impacted the nearby Saint Nicholas Monastery. SAINT HELENA OF CONSTANTINOPLE, who was a patron of the monastery, promptly shipped hundreds of cats to the monastery. Once released into the wild, these cats went to work hunting the rampant snake population. It is said that the monastery used a bell to call the cats back into the monastery, whilst another sent them into the fields to hunt snakes.
A NEW NAME FOR THE MONASTERY
Once the snakes were eradicated, the monastery became a cat sanctuary. Becoming known as THE MONASTERY OF SAINT NICHOLAS OF THE CATS, hundreds of cats have been living within its grounds ever since. The monastery, as a result, is a peaceful retreat for those seeking spiritual reflection and a popular place for animal enthusiasts and cat lovers to visit. Local legend states that if the cats ever left, then the snakes would soon return.
A CAT SANCTUARY
Today, THE MONASTERY OF SAINT NICHOLAS OF THE CATS considers its cats a beloved and integral part of its identity. It maintains its cat legacy by allowing its thriving cat population to freely roam its grounds and beautiful gardens, which offer stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Visitors often explore the monastery’s chapel, which has beautiful frescoes and religious icons, or its museum, which houses a collection of religious artefacts and historical items.
AN ISLAND OF CAT LOVERS
Although the thriving cat population on the island is generally well looked after, some of its stray cats face several daily challenges. These challenges include the onset of disease, traffic accidents, and injuries from territorial disputes. Several organisations and shelters acknowledge this by providing much-needed help when and where necessary. Generous locals, as well as several visitors on the island, often embrace the island’s cats, contributing daily to their welfare by feeding and looking after them.
A COMMON HISTORY
Cats serve as a constant reminder of the positive historical role that they played on the island. They also represent a common history that they share with their human counterparts. Overall, the cats of Cyprus serve as a tribute to the long-standing bond that exists between most Cypriots and their feline friends.
THE OLDEST HUMAN-CAT BURIAL IN CYPRUS
10,000 YEARS OF HISTORY
The oldest known burial of a domesticated cat with a human is located at the SHILLOUROKAMBOS in Cyprus. This supports the theory that domestic cats have been living across the island alongside humans for at least 9,500 years. This discovery predates the next oldest human-cat remains found at 5,000-year-old refuse pits in China. These discoveries have shaped several historical theories, and it is now widely accepted that the domestication of felines, along with their canine counterparts, has been a part of the human evolution cycle ever since.
THE FELIDAE FAMILY
It is believed that the Wildcat of the Felidae family, which includes lions and tigers, established a sustained relationship with humans after early agricultural settlements gained a foothold. It is known that these settlements attracted vermin that, in turn, attracted these cats, fostering the widespread nature of early cat-human relationships. The ancient Egyptians notably elevated cats to a position of great religious significance. They associated them with deities and sometimes mummified them alongside their owners. The goddess Bastet, depicted with a feline head, was associated with childbirth and worshipped as a protector.
INTRODUCED TO CONTROL RODENTS
Despite having relatively small natural ranges, wildcat DNA has been found in several archaeological sites dating from around 4500 BC across Eastern Europe and in North Africa. This shows that cats, mainly from the Middle East, quickly spread west along with early human migration. Early maritime trade, which used cats to control rodent populations, is also thought to have played a significant role in the early migration of cats.
NATURAL SELECTION
Scientists note that many domestic cats today are feral. Unlike dogs, which underwent deliberate breeding for specific traits and behaviours, cats have evolved through natural selection. This means that they are capable of surviving with minimal human intervention. Feral cats also regularly interbreed with domesticated cats, and this constant genetic exchange with wild populations has preserved many of their original predatory instincts.
