Conny Waters - AncientPages.com - The dispersal patterns of early humans across continents and islands have long been the subject of intense scholarly debate.
Drouseia Skloinikia, the newest archaeological site on the Akamas Peninsula in western Cyprus. Image credit: Michalakis Christoforou. Image credit: Michalakis Christoforou.
A recent study suggests that Pleistocene hunter-gatherers established settlements on the island of Cyprus significantly earlier than previously estimated.
It also challenges long-held assumptions and sheds new light on the migratory patterns and adaptive capabilities of our ancient ancestors.
Professor Bradshaw, in collaboration with Dr. Theodora Moutsiou, Dr. Christian Reepmeyer, and other colleagues, has undertaken archaeological dating from the ten oldest sites across Cyprus. This has revealed compelling evidence suggesting that the initial human occupation occurred between 14,257 and 13,182 years ago, a significantly earlier timeframe than previously hypothesized.
The researchers say that the island underwent a rapid settlement process following this initial habitation. Climate modeling has indicated that this early population coincided with an increase in temperature, precipitation, and environmental productivity, which contributed to sustaining substantial hunter-gatherer populations.
Large groups of hundreds to thousands of people arrived on Cyprus in two to three main migration events in less than 100 years.
Dr. Reepmeyer adds that this interpretation resulted from major gaps in Cyprus's archaeological record, which resulted from differential preservation of archaeological material, preservation biases, uncertainties associated with dating, and limited DNA evidence.
Demographic models predict end-Pleistocene arrival and rapid expansion of pre-agropastoralist humans in Cyprus. Credit: Flinders University
"Our research, based on more archaeological evidence and advanced modeling techniques, changes that."
"This settlement pattern implies organized planning and the use of advanced watercraft," says Professor Bradshaw.
Within 300 years, or 11 generations, the population of Cyprus had expanded to a median of 4,000–5,000 people.
According to Dr. Theodora Moutsiou, the results demonstrate that, rather than being inhospitable, Cyprus and perhaps other Mediterranean islands would have been attractive destinations for paleolithic hunter-gatherer societies.
"It has been argued that human dispersal to and settlement of Cyprus and other eastern Mediterranean islands is attributed to demographic pressures on the mainland after abrupt climatic change saw coastal areas inundated by post-glacial sea-level rise, forcing farming populations to move to new areas out of necessity rather than choice."
Written by Conny Waters - AncientPages.com Staff Writer
