Cats evolved approximately ten million years ago alongside humans who have evolved six million years ago. Approximately 10.8 million years ago, the panther-like ancestors of cats appeared first in Southeast Asia and became fossils.
Without DNA studies, it was impossible to track and study the evolution of cats because all of the ancestors of cats became fossils.
DNA studies and the technologies of genetics has helped a lot in the discoveries of the evolutionary journey of cats.
Researchers have used a "molecular clock analysis" that exactly shows how long ago the species have diverged from one another. The ancestors of the modern domestic cat were the last to appear approximately 3.4 million years ago.
Evolution is the process of gradual development. The researchers have observed that as the sea levels rose and fell it affected the migration of cats.
Read more about the Cat's Evolution at https://5amily.com/cat/blog/evolution-of-cats-feline-timeline
