Tracking the near Eastern origins and European dispersal of the Western house mouse

The house mouse (Mus musculus) represents the extreme of globalization of
invasive mammals. However, the timing and basis of its origin and early
phases of dispersal remain poorly documented. To track its
synanthropisation and subsequent invasive spread during the develoment of
complex human societies, we analyzed 829 Mus specimens from 43
archaeological contexts in Southwestern Asia and Southeastern Europe,
between 40,000 and 3,000 cal. BP, combining geometric morphometrics
numerical taxonomy, ancient mitochondrial DNA and direct radiocarbon
dating. We found that large late hunter-gatherer sedentary settlements in
the Levant, c. 14,500 cal. BP, promoted the commensal behaviour of the
house mouse, which probably led the commensal pathway to cat
domestication. House mouse invasive spread was then fostered through the
emergence of agriculture throughout the Near East 12,000 years ago.
Stowaway transport of house mice to Cyprus can be inferred as early as
10,800 years ago. However, the house mouse invasion of Europe did not
happen until the development of proto urbanism and exchange networks —
6,500 years ago in Eastern Europe and 4000 years ago in Southern Europe —
which in turn may have driven the first human mediated dispersal of cats
in Europe.