Why no cat remains were found during the excavations in Pompeii

The bond between humans and cats was sealed when we shifted from a hunting and gathering lifestyle to farming. In the case of Egyptians and cats, it was more than just a working relationship; fewer people might know that the Greeks also started showing interest in cats in a similar way. However, this relationship eventually turned out to be just a fleeting spark.

Luckily, we have a lot of information about how the people of the Roman Empire related to cats. For example, in the city of Pompeii, there were plenty of depictions of cats, but the researchers conducting the excavation did not find any cat remains. What could this strange contradiction mean?

The relationship between Pompeii and cats

In the 1st century, cats gradually began to replace weasels in Roman households. These small predators were commonly found in homes at that time, semi-domesticated, to help control rodents. However, cats proved to be more effective at this task and, in addition, they were more enjoyable to keep because of their beauty and affectionate nature.

At that time, it was fashionable for wealthy families to keep exotic animals, further expressing their household’s prestige. In that era, cats were also considered exotic animals. The value and fondness people had for them is evidenced by numerous valuable mosaics depicting beautiful cats in various settings. Such mosaics have been uncovered, for example, at the Casa del Fauno (Pompeii) or the Villa Poppea (Torre Annunziata), among others.

One mosaic currently kept in the Naples Museum depicts a very peculiar cat. Researchers believe this cat was a Pallas’s cat, which was kept at that time both in Rome and Egypt. From the end of the 1st century, Romans regularly brought cats with them on military campaigns to all corners of the world. This played a significant role in their spread. Cats left traces everywhere in the Roman Empire, except in Pompeii before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius on August 24, 79 AD. Although there is no direct evidence, scientists theorize that there must have been cats in Pompeii, who, due to their special abilities, sensed the impending eruption of the volcano and left the area.

A mosaic of a cat discovered in Pompeii:

Can cats really sense the approach of natural disasters?

Yes, this is absolutely possible. While animals don’t know exactly what is going to happen, their senses and instincts tell them when it’s time to flee. Many animals—even worms—are much more attuned to their surroundings than we humans are. This is partly because they can perceive sounds that we cannot. Moreover, cat fur attracts static electricity, which they can sense as it increases before major storms. Their inner ears are also sensitive to changes in air pressure, which are signs of heavy rainfall.

It’s worth paying attention to the behavior of cats because these sensitive creatures become more restless and may even disappear or try to escape when danger is near. In China, seismologists already observe the behavior of zoo animals as part of their efforts to predict major natural disasters.

(The opening image shows stray cats at the Pompeii excavation site.)