The Singular Cave of the Elephants in Chania

In 1999, Manolis Efthymakis, an avid snorkeler, indulged in his favourite hobby in the sea area of Chania prefecture, right outside Souda Bay.

Fate led him to discover the entrance of an underwater cave, approximately 10 metres long and 6.5 metres high. This cave, later named the Elephant Cave, earned its name due to the paleontological discoveries found inside.

In the early 21st century, the Ephorate of Palaeoanthropology and Spelaeology conducted the inaugural expedition to investigate the cave. Through underwater exploration, the team uncovered bones that were identified as belonging to deer and elephants. Remarkably, this is the sole location in Crete where elephant remains have been discovered beneath the sea, suggesting the presence of land in the area in the past.

The prevailing theory regarding the elephant species known as Elephas Chaniensis, originating from the Chania region, suggests that it inhabited Greece approximately 60,000 to 50,000 years ago. 

Photo Municipality of Chania