Fun Fact #330 The Cycloptic Dwarfs

Fun Fact #330

The Cycloptic Dwarfs

As the last Ice Age came to an end, several species of elephants were stuck on islands all over the world. With the limited space smaller elephants thrived which is how the mediterranean islands got Dwarf Elephants ranging from 3-7 feet long.

So, how did the Greeks respond to these cute little elephants? With sheer terror. You see by the time the Greeks took to the seas, most of these elephants had died out leaving only their bones behind. Greek sailors –who had never seen an elephant before– thought the nasal cavity was an eye socket and that these skulls must have belonged to an 8 ft. tall man-eating Giants who herded golden sheep. Thus, the myth of The Cyclops was born.