Ancient Pigeon Domestication Traced Back to 1400 B.C.

Recent archaeological discoveries in Cyprus suggest that pigeons have been closely associated with human settlements since at least 1400 B.C. This new research, published in Antiquity, raises questions about whether people intentionally domesticated pigeons or if these birds naturally adapted to human environments as they encountered them.

Historically, pigeons served varied roles. They were not merely looked upon with disdain as they sometimes are today. Instead, these birds provided food, acted as messengers, and even became cherished companions over the centuries.

The precise timeline of when and how humans and pigeons became interconnected remains uncertain. However, the study led by Anderson Carter, conducted during his graduate studies at the University of Groningen, has shifted the understanding back by about 1,000 years. It now points to as early as 1400 B.C.

The research involved analyzing pigeon bones from a Late Bronze Age site in Cyprus. These findings hint at the possibility that pigeons were raised for ritualistic feasts. Carter notes the deep-rooted relationship between humans and pigeons, referring to how these birds have impacted various cultures and histories.

Cyprus serves as a significant site for this discovery. Known as the birthplace of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty, the island has a rich mythical connection with pigeons. Aphrodite was often portrayed with pigeons or doves, symbolizing her fondness for these birds.