In 2004, BBC published the article Dig discovery is oldest 'pet cat' on the oldest known evidence of domestic cats found, not in Egypt, but in the Neolithic village of Shillourokambos on Cyprus. This evidence suggests the existence of domestic cats started 9,500 years ago.

The Neolithic cats of Shillourokamboos resembles the African wildcat (Felis sylvestris lybica).