Archaeologists find earliest evidence of cats kneading on a 1,200-year-old jubilee

Israeli archaeologists have discovered the oldest known artifact bearing traces of a cat’s ‘kneading’ behavior: part of a 1,200-year-old clay jug excavated in Jerusalem. An impression was found on the jug, believed to have been left by a happy cat as the jug dried before being fired. At that time, the surface of the clay was still soft and malleable, allowing the paw print to be preserved.

Researchers believe the print is from an animal’s front paw and is approximately three centimeters wide. Shimon Gibson, co-director of the excavations, explained that the print showed claw marks and suggested that the cat not only left its mark but also stretched out its hands to “knead the dough” or “bake the cookies” (a characteristic behavior of cats). leaves claws and deep imprints.

Kneading is a common behavior among cats, in which the pet rhythmically kneads a surface with its front paws. Since this process resembles kneading dough when viewed from the side, it is also called “cookie making”. This behavior is typical in cats that knead when young for a variety of reasons, including stimulation of milk flow. Cats are known to knead with their paws for a variety of reasons: Kittens do this to stimulate milk flow from their mothers, while adult cats do this when they are comfortable or to leave their scent on a surface. Adult cats often repeat kneading movements when they feel safe and comfortable, especially before curling up in their favorite sleeping spot. By kneading, cats associate this action with comfort and safety.

Although paw prints are common on ancient pottery, the cat’s mark is unique due to its claw marks and kneading marks. Deep marks on the pottery indicate kneading, and if the animal had accidentally scraped its paw on the dish, it would almost certainly not have extended its claws. The cat may have felt warm, content, and safe, possibly leading it to knead the substrate under its feet as it warmed itself nearby.

The jug, used to carry water, wine or olive oil, was recovered from a settlement dating back to the ninth century during the Abbasid Caliphate. Dating of the jug showed that the cat lived in Jerusalem during this period. According to Shimon Gibson, during the Abbasid period, Jerusalem was under Islamic rule, but there were also Jews and Christians among the inhabitants.

During the Abbasid period, cats had a special place in Islamic culture. One of these cats, which is also mentioned in the first Islamic sources, is Hz. It was known that Muhammad had a great fondness for cats. Cat remains found in Israel, dating back to prehistoric times, were of particular importance in Islamic culture during the Abbasid period, when Jerusalem was a crossroads of cultures and also home to Jews and Christians.

Laboratory manager Gretchen Cotter was the first to notice the markings on the pottery shard during post-excavation work; While analyzing material spread out on a table, he discovered forearm and claw marks. The fragment lay with countless other fragments in boxes of material collected from Mount Zion, waiting to be separated and analyzed in the excavation’s Jerusalem laboratory. It will now be analyzed and then handed over to Israeli authorities for further decisions.

Archaeologists have identified numerous small fingerprints on pottery shards in the Mount Zion area; these marks probably belonged to the potter’s children, and they were often responsible for the addition of jar handles. The most common marks on ancient pottery are human fingerprints, sometimes belonging to children who were given tasks such as attaching handles to jars.

This discovery provides a rare glimpse into the behavior of domestic cats during the Abbasid period in Jerusalem. The unique preservation of the cat’s kneading marks reflects the natural behavior of the animal and the cultural importance of cats in the region at that time.

Sources: Cursorinfo, Gazeta.Ru, Scienze Notizie

Stay up to date with the latest news!

Subscribe to The Jerusalem Post Newsletter

This article was written in collaboration with prolific artificial intelligence company Alchemiq.

Related Posts