In ancient Egypt, cats weren't just pets. They protected grain from mice and symbolized balance and order. The more cats in your home the more blessings from the gods. Archaeological evidence shows that cats were domesticated in Egypt about 4,000 years ago, though African wildcats (Felis silvestris lybica) had lived near humans much earlier hunting rodents in grain storages. In the second photo A detail from the tomb fresco, showing a cat in a domestic setting, eating under a chair, ca. 1400–1391 BCE, via Science.org. In the third photo, Egyptian Painting of a Cat Killing a Serpent.