Early humans colonised Cyprus much earlier than previously thought, study finds
Researchers led by Professor Corey Bradshaw of Flinders University challenge previous beliefs about early human migration patterns with a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The study suggests that hunter-gatherers settled Cyprus much earlier than previously thought, around 14,257 to 13,182 years ago, contradicting the idea that Mediterranean islands were too isolated for Paleolithic societies. The research indicates rapid settlement coinciding with favorable climatic conditions, large-scale migrations, and the use of advanced watercraft. Dr. Theodora Moutsiou argues that Mediterranean islands like Cyprus would have been attractive destinations for early hunter-gatherer societies, challenging the notion of inhospitability. The study emphasizes the importance of reevaluating early human migration in the Mediterranean based on new archaeological evidence and advanced modeling techniques.