Archaeological discoveries in Cyprus provide new insights into the age-old relationship between humans and pigeons. Recent findings indicate that these birds have been present in human settlements since at least 1400 B.C.
A study prompted scientists to ponder whether pigeons were intentionally domesticated by humans or naturally adapted to human environments. The research analyzed pigeon bones found at a Late Bronze Age site in Cyprus, uncovering clues about their possible use in ritual feasts.
Historically, pigeons have held significant roles as food sources, messengers, and even companions. The research published in the journal Antiquity pushes the known association between humans and pigeons back by 1,000 years.
Lead study author Anderson Carter, from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, highlighted the enduring bond between humans and pigeons. “We’ve shaped their whole species, and they’ve influenced many of our histories,” Carter observed.
Cyprus, the Mediterranean island associated with Aphrodite—the Greek goddess of love and beauty—offers a suitable context for these findings. Known for her affinity for pigeons and doves, Aphrodite is often depicted with these birds.
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