Early Domestication of Pigeons Uncovered in Cyprus

Archaeologists have uncovered evidence suggesting pigeons have been part of human settlements for over 3,400 years. Recent discoveries at a site in Cyprus, dated to at least 1400 B.C., provide a glimpse into this long-standing relationship.

This research, published in Antiquity, raises questions about whether humans intentionally domesticated pigeons or if it happened naturally as pigeons began thriving in human habitats.

Historically, pigeons served multiple purposes. They were used as food sources, provided fertilizer, acted as messengers, and became cherished companions. Despite these roles, the exact timeline of their domestication with humans has been unclear.

The findings from Cyprus push the known date of pigeon domestication back by about 1,000 years. The study analyzed remains excavated from a Late Bronze Age site, adding significant context to our understanding of human-pigeon interactions.

Pigeons have been with humans for a very long time,” noted Anderson Carter, the study’s lead author and a researcher at the University of Groningen. “Their species has been shaped by us, and they have influenced many of our historical narratives.”

Cyprus serves as a symbolic site for this discovery. According to mythology, the island is the birthplace of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess associated with love and beauty, who favored pigeons and doves. Artistic depictions frequently show her with these birds.