12,000-Year-Old Ancient Seafarers of Cyprus | Ancient Architects

In recent years I’ve looked at Pre-Pottery Neolithic sites from Turkey down to Southern Jordan, but one thing I really wanted to learn about is Cyprus, an island very much part of this region, close to Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan and Palestine, all of which were home to early permanent settlements during and after the Younger Dryas.

We know from the fish remains discovered at Atlit Yam, a now-submerged Pre-Pottery Neolithic site off the coast of Israel, that the ancient people did have boats. So, between 10 and 12,000 years ago, when sea levels were much lower, I have no doubt that Cyprus could have been reached.

With that in mind, I’ve been looking into the prehistory of this island and I have to say I wasn’t disappointed with what I learned and in this video I’ll give you a brief overview.

Cyprus has a long and interesting history, with human populations landing on the island in at least three waves - in the Epipalaeolithic, the Pre-Pottery Neolithic A and Pre-Pottery Neolithic B. Watch this video to learn more about the ancient seafarers of Cyprus.

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#ancientarchitects #cyprus #archaeology

[evagorasm]

As a Cypriot living on the island, I would like to thank you for this video. You barely scratched the surface though, but it's a good start. I saw on one of the maps the area of Shillourokampos and for you pet lovers out there, you need to know that they found a human there buried next to a cat. So far its the oldest evidence of cat domestication ever found.
I want to see more about the copper age, the sea peoples, the relationship with Egypt and the migrations of the Phoenicians and Greeks on the island.
Love from Cyprus

[AncientArchitects]

Some of you may remember this video from just over a year ago. I had to remove a little background music I used in the original mid-way through, as it’s no longer royalty free. So, I’ve uploaded again. Thank you!

[dr.froghopper]

I was scolded by a professor about 40 years ago, for suggesting that boats were in use during the last ice age and could have reached North America by following the ice edge. Oh the outrage she spewed at my suggestion. But now, boats are considered for peopling the continent from Asia doing the exact same thing. “There’s no evidence!”, she shrieked. No, because it’s all 400 feet under water!

[fliegeroh]

12, 000 years ago. Amazing. It's hard to imagine that much time.

[sitindogmas]

people have been doing amazing things for a long time, its crazy how quick it call all change

[tojomelville]

that tour sounds done Ephesus and Petra....and Sinai....but can no longer walk much forward to watching your films of it.

[chrismichael]

The mountains of Turkey can be seen today from north side of Cyprus after a rain that clears the view in autumn....so, its not hard to imagine ppl looking from those mountains in Turkey, back at Cyprus back then. I love my Island, which in so many ways belongs to everyone around the Mediterranean sea and beyond. Peace be with ya all.

[JMMRanMA]

I lived in Turkey for a year and visited several times. One memory is a statue's arm and some ruins protruding from the beach at Antalia. I taught at the university in Gaziantep, which city was said to be [at the time] one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities. It would be hard NOT to find numerous antiquities to see in Turkey. As an aside, the food is absolutely stupendous! Gaziantep was famous for kebab, ayran [yogurt drink] and mezeler [hors d'oeuvres, or succession of various small wonderful dishes]. I recommend traveling there, and would happily join you if age didn't preclude it!

[ano_nymouse]

it might be useful to show the map of the area with the hypothesized sea level during the ice age. there might be shorter routes or land bridge that could be crossed.

[lostpony]

Im super excited that you are going to the underground cities. I feel like you will be able to recognize important details that i think are going unnoticed. Cant wait to hear your thoughts on it after you experience it.

[makjanks]

The sea rise encompassed the entire world. When most of the population lived near the sea for its resources, trade and social gatherings they began to talk of the world flooding. This is the source of the stories of the great flood.

[barrywalser]

It was a leap of faith to venture out across the sea the first time. Once you bump into a something, it becomes practical. Thanks Matt!

[dudebruhdude]

That's so awesome that you're able to travel to these places that you've been doing videos about. I really love your videos. You do a great job, thank you so much. I'm excited to see the videos from your upcoming travels. Be safe, and have fun.

[judod]

we almost forgot about oceania australia and south america sea faring much much older than 10ky

[ZadenZane]

Haven't you ever wanted to go to Malta? I'm actually thinking of Gozo more specifically where the megalithic temples are thought to be among the oldest structures in the world...

[Adminstormdogmedia]

Spent some of my childhood there in the 70’s. huge amount of historical ruins on the island.

[doomeddie]

You should see if you can visit Kef Kalesi, Ayanis, and Cavus Tepe while you are in Turkey. Will change your entire outlook on History.

[troz]

Weird. This never showed on my homepage. Although I have “hit the bell” I didn’t see this for several days.

[nicoleorton]

Thank you for another great video. I can’t wait to see and hear about your coming adventures!

[laurah]

If the sea level was significantly lower back then, perhaps there was access by land in addition to travel/commerce via boats. The undersea shelf surrounding Cyprus extends for quite some distance...and then there is the "tail" region...wonder if that didn't allow direct access, or at the least, island hopping to get to the main land formation. Just a crazy musing from one of your dedicated followers! 😎 Heartfelt gratitude for your extensive research, and hugely informative productions illuminating the antiquated past of humanity. 💖