Unearthing artifacts from a 16th-century Spanish shipwreck off the Florida coast, archaeologists found not only relics of a bygone era, but two sets of domesticated cat bones, a surprising glimpse into the lives of seafaring companions from the past. This find at the Emanuel Point shipwreck, reported by USU Today, includes one of the earliest evidence of domesticated cats in the present-day United States, transforming our understanding of their journey alongside humans.
Martin Welker, a USU anthropology alumnus, brought his specialization in the dissemination of domesticated animals to the table, elucidating the historical spread of these feline creatures across the Americas. "Cats are really not common in archaeological assemblages," Welker explained, although they played a significant role in maritime life, their skeletal remains are rarely found in abundance. These cats were not just rodent hunters but part of the crew, as their diet included more than just vermin. "It’s easy to envision the sailors slipping food to the cat under the table," Welker told USU Today.
Welker's professional fascination, however, mainly revolves around dogs. His research probes how changes in canine morphology and roles reflect the evolution of human society. He states, "Dogs provide a really interesting way of looking at the human past," as per USU Today. From transport to herding, to guarding, to hunting, dogs have served humans in a multitude of capacities, and their physical features often directly connect to their purpose within different cultures.
Unexpectedly, Welker's path began with engineering but veered into archaeology after a compelling elective course piqued his interest. Discussing his academic journey, he recalls it was the hands-on experience that shaped his future, "I worked in the lab, I worked in the museum. I did some stuff with Molly Cannon up in the geospatial lab. I worked with a bunch of the grad students. I went into the field with people," he shared, as obtained by USU Today.
