Greger Larson

This week we're joined by Ancient DNA Specialist, Professor Greger Larson of Oxford University who has revealed that cats have only been domesticated for 4,000 years. Until very recently we have assumes this figure was 10,000 years.

Prof Greger discusses how his work helps map our relationships with both cats and dogs in line with our own human evolution.

Explaining that although cats were thought to have been domesticated around 10,000 years ago , in fact the latest science suggests that cats began their close relationship with humans relatively recently especially when compared to dogs.

He explains the cats’ evolution and why the ancient Egyptians thought of them as deities, and why their recent domestication means they are literally more wild than dogs.

Cats were happy to stay at a comfortable distance from humans for thousands of years.

Unlike dogs, we chat briefly on a very new discovery that potentially is the oldest known dog to ever!

Some argue it’s a vital missing link, but will this change our knowledge of dogs per se?

However Prof Greger could have an announcement brewing that might just change this.

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Music and production by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions

Cover art by Jaijo

Cover photo by Rhian Ap Gruffydd at Gruff Pawtraits