Extinct pygmy hippopotamus and early man in Cyprus

Abstract

Little evidence exists for human occupation of the Mediterranean Islands before ∼9,000 yr before present (BP)1, and extinct Pleistocene fauna rarely have been associated with archaeological materials from the region. Intriguing claims, however, have been presented for the early occupation of Mallorca2 and Sardinia3. Although it has been suggested that Cyprus may have been inhabited as early as the Palaeolithic, this has not been substantiated and the consensus of opinion is that the initial inhabitation was by Neolithic peoples ∼9,000 yr ago4,5. But new evidence from Akrotiri Aetokremnos ('Eagle's Cliff or 'Site E') suggests an earlier occupation. This site also contains evidence for the association of cultural remains with extinct pygmy hippopotamus (Phanourios minutus6). Although beds containing bones of the pygmy hippopotamus are known from Cyprus7,8, this species is generally believed to have gone extinct before man's presence on the island9. From my analysis, I tentatively conclude that Site E is the earliest archaeological site in Cyprus and that the Island was occupied by approximately 10,000 yr BP. Finally I suggest that the extinction of the pygmy hippopotamus on Cyprus may have been accelerated by the presence of man on the island.