Aetokremnos

Aetokremnos, translating to "Cliff of the Eagles," is a highly significant archaeological rock shelter located on the Akrotiri Peninsula in Cyprus. Situated on a steep cliff face overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, this site has fundamentally changed our understanding of early human history in the Mediterranean islands. Excavations have revealed evidence of human occupation dating back to the Epipaleolithic period, around 10,000 BCE, making it the oldest known human settlement in Cyprus. The most remarkable aspect of Aetokremnos is its association with the extinct endemic fauna of the island. The site yielded thousands of bones belonging to the Cyprus dwarf hippopotamus (Phanourios minor) and, to a lesser extent, dwarf elephants. The discovery of these animal remains alongside human artifacts strongly suggests that early hunter-gatherers interacted with, and potentially contributed to the extinction of, these unique Pleistocene animals. Due to its remote and precarious location on the cliffside, access to the site itself is restricted and highly dangerous for casual visitors. However, the findings from Aetokremnos are preserved for educational purposes off-site.