Is it ‘Sus-picious’? Revisiting the Presence of the Wild Boar on the Island of Crete

Abstract

Abstract The presence of wild boar on the island of Crete has been discussed since the beginning of Cretan archaeology. Presumed wild individuals are depicted on various types of objects from the Minoan period. Wild pig remains have been identified on several Cretan sites ranging from the Neolithic to the Byzantine period. Despite the relatively large number of such reports, the nature of evidence from the island is often unclear or at least questionable. Available biometric data do not support the establishment of a stable wild population on the island during its history. This paper provides a detailed overview of contemporary evidence and highlights the need for systematic data collection.