submitted by Museum Administration on 17.10.2003
Buzzards wheeling overhead pointed the way to the carcass of this large, horned goat. It was found in a quarry off the main road opposite Kypriotianika, 2002. Horned goat skull, 25 cm long. Photograph © Peter B. Tzannes, 2003
The goat is probably the most popular of all farm animals on Kythera. When goat’s milk is plentiful, farm wives make the delicious soft cheese called mizithra, by stirring the boiled goat’s milk with the fresh branch of a fig tree. Skull of a small domestic goat, 18 cm long. Photograph © Peter B. Tzannes, 2003
submitted by Museum Administration on 12.10.2003
A strange and wonderful flying mammal, the bat hunts at night for mosquitoes and other insects. This poor little baby was found dried up after the winter in a home in Agia Pelagia. Dried baby bat 2.5 cm. Gift of Sem Schreuder, Tom Schreuder and Inge de Leeuw. Photograph © James Prineas, 2003
Cat skull, front view. 8.5 cm. Fratsia 1993. Photograph © Peter B. Tzannes, 2003
The domestic short-haired cat is still quite common in Kytherian villages, but as people take them indoors as pets, the numbers of semi-wild farm cats seem to be dwindling. They are frequently poisoned by bait intended for rats. Their skeletons are immediately recognizable by the enormous eye sockets in their heads. Cat skull, side view, 8.5 cm. Fratsia 1993. Photograph © Peter B. Tzannes, 2003
submitted by Museum Administration on 15.10.2003
Cows are not as popular as goats and sheep, but many famers on Kythera still keep them, especially in villages like Fratsia, where there are large, flat fields for grazing. Cow skull, 52 cm long. Gift of Harry Mitchell, Matina Mitchell and Joanna Mitchell, 1999. Photograph © Peter B. Tzannes, 2003
Hipbone of a cow, 47 cm high. Photograph © James Prineas, 2003
Cows have long teeth with large grinding surfaces for chewing their cuds. Cow teeth, 6 – 7 cm long. Photograph © James Prineas, 2003
Cow tooth, with long shaft and rippled grinding surface, 7 cm long. Photograph © James Prineas, 2003
This pair of bovine skulls was found together, one with a rope still tied around it. Perhaps they had been a team of oxen. Each skull is 52 cm, and the longest horn, if straightened, would be 32 cm long. Photograph © James Prineas, 2003
Dolphins are rarely seen in the waters around Kythera, but they do appear occasionally. This skull was found on the beach at Paliopoli in 2001. The bottom jaw is broken; top of skull is 39 cm long. Gift of Deborah Stavrou. Photograph © Peter B. Tzannes, 2003
Small dolphin skull, top view, showing long snout and blow holes. From a dolphin found dead on the beach at Paliopoli in 2001. Gift of Deborah Stavrou. Dolphin Skull, 39 cm long. Photograph © Peter B. Tzannes, 2003
Though very similar to the other dolphin skull in the museum, the size and shape of this one is different enough that two might be of different species, or perhaps one might be a porpoise. Anyone with definite information is urged to add a comment below. This skull was taken from a dolphin washed up on Agia Pelagia beach in 1992. Gift of Uri Solomon. Skull, showing domed head, lower jaw and teeth, 45 cm long. Photograph © Peter B. Tzannes, 2003
Large dolphin skull, top view, showing long snout and blow holes. Taken from a dolphin found washed up on the beach at Agia Pelagia in 1992. Gift of Uri Solomon. Dolphin skull, 45 cm long. Photograph © Peter B. Tzannes, 2003
submitted by Museum Administration on 13.10.2003
In the olden days, every family had at least one donkey. Donkeys are gentle and hard working animals, but they are slow: the quickening pace of Kythera left them in the dust, and by the end of the twentieth century this faithful old beast of burden had been permanently replaced by the pickup truck. When this poor old donkey died, his carcass was thrown behind the village of Kypriotianika, around 1995. Donkey skull, side view. Kypriotianika, 1995. Photograph © Peter B. Tzannes, ...
Hip-bone of a small donkey. Kypriotianika, 1995. Photograph © Peter B. Tzannes, 2003
Donkey skull, top view. Kypriotianika, 1995. Photograph © Peter B. Tzannes, 2003
Hedgehog, Erinaceus concolor A small animal covered with thick spines, the hedgehog lives in fields and bushes, where it eats snails, roots, fruit, insects and frogs. Hedgehog skull, front view, 5.5 cm. Fratsia, 1992. Photograph © Peter B. Tzannes, 2003
Hedgehog, Erinaceus concolor The hedgehog is a gentle and shy creature that curls up into a spiky little ball when sleeping. Hedghog skull, side view. 5.5 cm. Fratsia, 1992. Photograph © Peter B. Tzannes, 2003
Marten This weasel-like mammal is a pain for farmers, as it preys on chickens and rabbits in the night. Years ago farmers laid traps for the marten, not only to keep it away from the chickens, but also for its much prized fur. These days, marten traps are rare, and these beautiful animals are too frequently seen as road-kill. Skull of marten, 8 cm. Fratsia 1992. Photograph © Peter B. Tzannes, 2003
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