Elephas tiliensis from the island of Tilos

The Charkadio Cave Excavations: Unveiling the Secrets of Tilos’s Dwarf Elephants Elephas Tiliensis

The excavation of the Charkadio Cave, which began in earnest in 1972, has led to one of the most significant paleontological discoveries in the Aegean region. Over the course of these excavations, researchers uncovered an impressive collection of approximately 15,000 bones, representing around 45 individual dwarf elephants. These remains provide an unparalleled glimpse into the life of a unique species that once roamed the island of Tilos.

A Unique Species: Elephas tiliensis

The dwarf elephants of Tilos, known scientifically as Elephas tiliensis, are remarkable for their diminutive size compared to their continental relatives. Standing at a height of no more than 190 centimeters, these elephants were roughly 50% smaller than the larger Elephas antiquus (Paleoloxodon) found in other parts of the ancient world. The discovery of these small-sized elephants has intrigued paleontologists, who have studied their unique characteristics in detail.

After extensive analysis and comparison with other elephant species found in Sicily, Cyprus, and Crete, it was determined that Elephas tiliensis exhibited distinct features that set it apart from its relatives. This species evolved in isolation on Tilos, likely having colonized the island via a land bridge or sea crossing from neighboring islands such as Kos-Nisyros or Rhodes. However, no similar elephants have been found on these adjacent islands, lending support to the theory of an independent evolutionary path on Tilos.

Initially, researchers believed that two different types of elephants were present in the cave based on the variations in skeletal remains. However, further examination of the elephants’ morphology and detailed biometrical studies revealed that these variations were actually indicative of male and female individuals of the same species, rather than separate species.

The Extinction of Elephas tiliensis

The presence of Elephas tiliensis dates back to approximately 45,000 years Before Present (BP) and continued until around 4,000 to 3,500 BP. The reasons for the sudden extinction of these elephants remain unclear, though several hypotheses have been proposed. These include:

1. Climate Change: Shifts in climate may have led to a reduction in the available space and resources for the dwarf elephants, contributing to their decline.
2. Reduction of Fertile Land: The loss of fertile, flat coastal areas could have decreased the habitat available to the elephants, further exacerbating their struggle for survival.
3. Volcanic Activity: The eruption of Santorini, one of the most significant volcanic events in prehistory, may have caused extensive environmental damage. The resulting volcanic tuff could have polluted water sources and destroyed vegetation, creating a hostile environment for the elephants.
4. Human Activity: Although there is no conclusive evidence of human presence on Tilos during the time of the elephants, the possibility of human hunting as a factor in their extinction has been considered. However, no direct proof linking human activity to the extinction of the elephants has been found.

Additional Discoveries and Current Research

Aside from the dwarf elephant remains, other fossils discovered in the Charkadio Cave include those of the Tilos deer, dating back to approximately 140,000 BP, and some bird bones that have yet to be fully studied. While these finds provide additional context to the cave’s paleontological record, they predate the Elephas tiliensis and do not offer direct insights into the life of the dwarf elephants.

The ongoing research conducted by the Department of Historical Geology and Paleontology of the University of Athens, under the supervision of George Theodorou, continues to explore the mysteries of the Charkadio Cave. The findings from these excavations offer a crucial understanding of the prehistoric fauna of Tilos and contribute to broader discussions about the island’s ancient environment and ecological changes.

Acknowledgements

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Professor Dr. George E. Theodorou for his invaluable help and guidance, as well as for providing the essential material that made this post possible. His expertise and dedication to the study of Elephas tiliensis have been instrumental in advancing our understanding of Tilos’s unique paleontological heritage.

Further Reading

For a more detailed examination of the Elephas tiliensis and its significance, refer to the comprehensive study by George Theodorou, Nikolaos Symeonidis, and Elizabeth Stathopoulou: Elephas tiliensis n.sp. from Tilos island (Dodecanese, Greece).