Unveiled: Evidence of a Cat on 9th Century Pottery Found in Jerusalem

In Jerusalem, researchers from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Bar-Ilan University in Israel recently discovered a unique animal print on a 1,200-year-old pottery fragment from the Abbasid era. This imprint, left by a cat with the familiar behavior of kneading with its paws, constitutes the oldest known evidence of this action, common among felines when they feel comfortable and safe.

This fragment of a jug, found during the archaeological excavations of Mount Zion, reveals surprising details of daily life in the 9th century, where the proximity between humans and domestic animals manifested itself in unexpected ways. This type of discovery provides a better understanding of human-animal relationships in the past, adding an unexpected perspective to domestic artifacts from this period.

An ancestral behavior immortalized

The footprint left by this cat on a clay jug more than a thousand years old has intrigued researchers, including Shimon Gibson, an archaeologist and professor at the University of North Carolina. Discovered during excavations on Mount Zion, this mark has distinct details. The deep scratches and positioning indicate that the animal spent time kneading the clay rather than simply scratching it. Archaeologists see this as a clear indication of feel-good behavior, via an instinctive, calming movement common in cats, evoking a feeling of security and comfort. According to Gibson for Haaretzthis gesture, often linked to contentment, testifies to a moment of well-being of the feline who would have settled, peacefully, on the still wet jug.

© Shimon Gibson/Mt Zion Expedition

This seemingly insignificant detail offers a unique perspective on the interaction between animals and their environment during the Abbasid era (750 to 1258 AD). Jerusalem was a place of coexistence between different communities and their domestic animals. Cats, already present in the daily lives of residents, played a special role. Both for their qualities as hunters and for the company they brought. This imprint therefore not only reveals a moment of life captured in clay. But it also testifies to the discreet but constant bond between humans and animals within these ancient societies. For Gibson and his team, this discovery highlights the importance of details in archaeology. Even a simple paw mark can reveal a part of the intimate history of domestic life in the past.

A cat print that tells a story

This feline imprint, frozen in clay for more than a thousand years, transports us to 9th century Jerusalem, a city where cats were already well integrated into the daily lives of the inhabitants. The presence of this mark, left by a small cat, shows how much these animals were valued, particularly in Islamic societies. They associated felines with values ​​of cleanliness and serenity. During the Abbasid era, cats were not only tolerated, but also respected. This is partly due to Islamic traditions which gave them a special status. The kneading gesture inscribed on this jug illustrates a moment of contentment and tranquility. The animal, perfectly at ease in its environment, indulges in natural and soothing behavior.

The footprint is approximately three centimeters wide, suggesting that it was a small cat, perhaps a familiar companion to local residents. By settling on this container left to dry in the sun, this cat not only marked the clay, but also, without knowing it, left a trace of the human-animal intimacy of that time. In a place where different cultures and religions coexisted, domestic animals, especially cats, played a discreet but central role in everyday life. This discovery, beyond its scientific aspect, offers an insight into the softness of the bonds woven between men and animals over the centuries. She recalls how these interactions were imbued with a simplicity and familiarity that transcends time.

The cat and its millennial behavior

Animal prints on ancient artifacts often provide a serendipitous but valuable insight into the environment and daily activities of the past. Frequently, these marks result from animals having walked quickly over wet clay surfaces. Like tiles or pottery left to dry. In Europe, for example, archaeologists have uncovered traces of dog or fox paws on Roman tiles. A testimony of close cohabitation between humans and animals in domestic or work contexts. But these prints were usually left by stray animals on these surfaces without any particular intention. They were therefore not linked to a specific behavior. This common type of trace simply reflects the animal presence in human spaces without any other behavioral implications.

On the other hand, the footprint of this cat discovered in Jerusalem presents a unique character. It does not result from a simple passage, but from a precise act of kneading. This distinction demonstrates a deeper and more meaningful interaction between the animal and its environment.

This millennial imprint also shows that the instinctive behaviors of cats have barely changed over time. Modern cats, like their ancestors, continue to knead to express contentment, a sign that certain behavioral characteristics have remained unchanged despite changes in context and time.

A fragment at the heart of research

Currently, the jug fragment with the cat print is attracting great interest among archaeologists. This piece of pottery is carefully studied to understand the place occupied by the cat in ancient societies. And, more broadly, to explore the daily interactions between humans and animals in the Abbasid world. Microscopic analyzes and detailed surveys allow the depth and orientation of the scratches to be examined. They are seeking to confirm whether other marks of this type can be found in similar objects. The possibility of preserving this fragment in the Israeli archaeological archives, or even of exhibiting it, is also being considered. The authorities want to make this discovery accessible, both to researchers and the public. With the hope that it will enrich our understanding of medieval domestic life.

© Shimon Gibson/Mt Zion Expedition

This vestige sheds light on a dimension often neglected in archaeological studies. It's about the quiet, yet omnipresent role of animals in human history. Through this discovery, archeology does not only reveal objects. It also revives sensitive relationships between humans and animals. Relationships that, over time, have helped to forge deep and lasting bonds in past societies.