A recent study published in the journal Antiquity sheds light on the long-standing relationship between humans and pigeons, dating back to at least 1400 B.C. This timeline is a significant push back of about 1,000 years from previous estimates. The research, led by Anderson Carter during her graduate studies at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, involved the analysis of pigeon bones excavated from a Late Bronze Age site in Cyprus. The findings suggest that pigeons were not only utilized as a source of food and fertilizer but may have also played a role in ritual feasts. This connection is particularly fitting given Cyprus's historical association with Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, who is often depicted with pigeons. Carter emphasized that pigeons have been integral to human history, stating, “We’ve shaped their whole species, and they’ve shaped many of our stories and histories.” This study adds depth to our understanding of how pigeons have been intertwined with human culture for millennia, highlighting their significance beyond mere companionship.