Archaeologists in Egypt have uncovered a series of ancient hieroglyphics that suggest feline behavior has remained remarkably consistent for thousands of years. While excavating a tomb believed to belong to an influential scribe from the Middle Kingdom period (circa 2000 BCE), researchers stumbled upon wall carvings that depict cats engaging in the timeless act of sitting in confined spaces.
The hieroglyphics feature a series of artistic panels where cats are shown in various seated positions within what appear to be small containers, ranging from reed baskets to pottery jars. One particularly detailed carving shows a cat triumphantly squeezing itself into an impossibly small box, its tail curled neatly around its paws. To modern viewers, these images seem to echo the internet-famous meme “If I fits, I sits.”
The Ancient Texts: A Love Letter to Boxes?
The accompanying inscriptions provide fascinating context. Translated by leading Egyptologist Dr. Bastet Meowkara, the texts appear to be a playful ode to cats and their peculiar obsession with confined spaces. One passage roughly translates to:
*”The sacred feline finds joy in the vessel, whether woven or shaped of clay. No space is too small, no corner too snug, for the cat claims all as its throne.” * This poetic reverence for cats aligns with the ancient Egyptians’ well-documented worship of the feline form, particularly through the goddess Bastet. However, the specificity of these carvings suggests that the obsession with “If I fits, I sits” is not a modern quirk but a deeply ingrained aspect of cat behavior that humans have celebrated for millennia.
Why Did Ancient Cats Sit in Boxes?
The behavior of sitting in small spaces is thought to stem from a cat’s natural instincts. These spaces offer a sense of security and warmth, traits that cats valued even in ancient times. The hieroglyphs may serve as both an homage to this behavior and a symbolic representation of order and adaptability, core tenets of Egyptian belief systems.
Experts also theorize that the carvings were intended to convey humor. “Ancient Egyptians had a rich sense of playfulness,” Dr. Meowkara notes. “Depictions of animals behaving in amusing or exaggerated ways were not uncommon. It’s entirely possible that these carvings were the ancient equivalent of cat memes.”
Cats in Boxes Through the Ages
This discovery adds to a growing body of evidence that cats—and their amusing habits—have been a source of human fascination for centuries. From medieval manuscripts featuring doodles of cats knocking over inkwells to Renaissance paintings of cats perched on books, humanity’s love for feline antics transcends time and culture.
The “If I fits, I sits” phenomenon in particular seems to be a universal constant. Psychologist and feline behaviorist Dr. Tabitha Whiskers speculates that the enduring appeal lies in its relatability: “There’s something inherently endearing about seeing an animal’s logic defy practicality. It’s a reminder of the joy in simple pleasures.”
Implications for Modern Cat Lovers
For cat enthusiasts today, this discovery offers a comforting thought: the next time your furry friend wedges itself into a shoebox or sinks into a basket of laundry, you’re witnessing a behavior with roots in ancient history. This connection not only bridges the gap between past and present but also reinforces the timeless bond between humans and their feline companions.
As researchers continue to study the tomb’s carvings, there’s hope that more insights into ancient cat behavior will emerge. Could the Egyptians have also documented the first instance of a cat ignoring an expensive toy in favor of the box it came in? Only time—and further excavations—will tell.