New Books Network Jerry Moore, "Cat Tales: A History" (Thames & Hudson, 2025)
Dec 14, 2025
In this conversation, Jerry Moore, an archaeologist and Professor Emeritus, dives into the fascinating journey of cats alongside humans. He reveals how our predatory instincts toward big cats shaped early hominid evolution and discusses the ancient veneration of cats from Egypt to the Americas. Moore touches on their role in agriculture, leading to domestication, and recounts stories of early pet burials. He also reflects on the enduring connection between humans and cats, showing how this bond has evolved over time.
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Question That Framed The Book
- Jerry D Moore began the project by asking how wild predators became household pets and used archaeology to link past and present experiences.
- This framing treats domestication as a cultural and historical question, not just biology.
Cats Shaped Human Evolution
- Early hominins faced predation from large cats, shaping behaviors and alarm systems seen in modern primates.
- Those predator–prey dynamics influenced human evolution and risk responses over deep time.
Charisma Explains Cat Imagery
- Charisma explains why big cats recur in Paleolithic art and modern conservation imagery.
- Humans consistently highlight the same species across millennia due to their visual and emotional appeal.
