Pigeon Domestication Traced Back to Bronze Age Cyprus

New research indicates that pigeons were semi-domesticated in Cyprus as early as 1400 BCE. This discovery pushes back direct evidence for pigeon domestication by nearly one thousand years. The findings challenge the common perception of pigeons as merely urban pests.

Researchers examined pigeon bones from the Late Bronze Age harbor city of Hala Sultan Tekke in Cyprus. They used zooarcheology to identify *Columba livia* specimens. Isotope analysis was then used to study their diets.

The analysis revealed that the pigeons at Hala Sultan Tekke consumed diets nearly identical to those of humans. This suggests the birds either received food from people or lived in close proximity to them. This indicates a state of domestication or a pathway towards it.

Previously, the earliest direct evidence of domesticated pigeons came from Hellenistic Greece, dating to approximately 323–265 BCE. The new evidence from Cyprus significantly predates this. Many of the pigeon bones found were burned and buried with other animal remains in ritual spaces. This suggests they may have been consumed in ritual feasts, which were important in Cypriot culture at the time.

The study highlights that pigeons have been an integral part of human life for millennia. They were bred for food, held symbolic roles, and were a constant presence in daily life in Bronze Age Cyprus. The research aims to change public perception of pigeons and encourage appreciation for their long shared history with humans.