Ancient Piece Of Pottery Proves That Cats Have Always Done As They Pleased

Written by: Adri Sandoval
Adri Sandoval is the Special Projects Manager for iHeartDogs and iHeartCats. Her work has deepened her love for animals, fostering a strong passion for rescue and animal advocacy.Read more
| Published on May 10, 2016


A piece of Japanese earthenware was discovered with a stamp from a cat who lived long, long ago.

The plate was found during excavations of the Yuzuki Castle, which was destroyed in 1585. It was presumably kept within palace while it was still standing (now, it’s a historic site).

You know what that means? This royal family loved felines.

Writer Casey Baseel of Rocket News 24 explains that the plate was probably supposed to be plain, until a cat stepped into the soft pottery as it was drying. But because the piece was found whole (and not broken), it wasn’t tossed out after the kitty’s misstep. In fact, the artifact seems to have been very well cared for. Whether the paw print was accidentally overlooked by the craftsman, or he thought it was charming, it seems that the plate’s eventual recipient was a cat lover.

Based on the inference that this centuries-old pottery was supposed to be plain, this ancient paw print is proof of something that we’ve known forever: from the dawn of time, cats have done as they’ve pleased!

See?

(h/t: Rocker News 24)