MADRID, KOMPAS.com – Archaeologists in Spain have unearthed what they believe to be the oldest known rock engraving crafted by human hands, estimating its age to be over 200,000 years old.
Researchers reported the discovery of a simple ‘X’ shaped graphic design on a stone block during archaeological excavations at the Coto Correa site in the Las Chapas district of Marbella Municipality, Southern Spain. This remarkable find offers a potential glimpse into the cognitive abilities of early humans.
Previous excavations in and around the site have revealed some of the oldest stone tools found in Europe, dating back to the Early Paleolithic era. These artifacts have provided crucial insights into the early human occupation of the region.
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As reported by The Independent on Monday (March 24, 2025), subsequent excavations in the district have unearthed even more ancient human stone tools, further aiding in the dating of the site. These discoveries continue to paint a clearer picture of life in prehistoric Spain.
Among these finds is a massive stone block discovered in 2022, distinguished by a simple, engraved line. This engraved line is a significant marker, suggesting deliberate artistic or symbolic behavior.
This engraving confirms the presence of settlers in southern Spain during the Middle Early Paleolithic period. This is a lesser-known period in Spain and previously unprecedented in the province of Malaga, according to the research team. The find is rewriting the timeline of human habitation in the region.
“The engraving on the stone could also be the oldest known engraving made by humans,” the researchers stated, highlighting the profound implications of the discovery.
Until now, the earliest known stone tools dated back to between 1,500,000 to 100,000 BC, confirming the presence of prehistoric humans in the Marbella region during the period when modern humans began migrating out of Africa. This new engraving potentially pushes back the timeline of early human artistic expression.
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However, initial analysis of the giant stone block suggests the engraving could be approximately 200,000 years old, potentially predating the oldest known cave art by around 100,000 years. This is a groundbreaking possibility that challenges existing understanding of early human culture.
“This unique stone, which contains a series of graphic representations about the origin of mankind, could be 100,000 years older than the oldest cave art depictions,” the Marbella City Council stated, underscoring the significance of the find to our understanding of human origins.
Currently, scientists are conducting further assessments to confirm the dating of the stone and the engraving. This rigorous process is essential to validate the initial findings.
“The techniques applied for absolute dating consist of the analysis of quartz from various sediment samples, which will allow for a precise chronology of the sample,” the city council explained, detailing the scientific methods employed to determine the age of the artifact.
Additionally, researchers hope to perform high-resolution 3D scans of the stone to obtain a virtual composite of the series of markings. This technology will enable a more detailed and comprehensive analysis of the engravings.
“This will allow the entire surface to be studied with maximum detail, allowing the identification of work marks and graphic elements,” the Marbella City Council elaborated.
The Stone Age humans who created these markings were likely part of the early wave of human migrants who left Africa and ventured into Europe, according to the scientists’ hypothesis. This discovery offers a tantalizing glimpse into the journeys of our ancestors.
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If confirmed as the oldest human-made rock engraving, the Coto Correa site could become a key location for understanding human migration and settlement across the continent. The site holds the potential to unlock new insights into the story of human evolution and early cultural development.
Ringkasan
Archaeologists in Spain have discovered a stone engraving, believed to be over 200,000 years old, featuring a simple ‘X’ shape. Found at the Coto Correa site, it could be the oldest known rock engraving made by human hands, predating the oldest known cave art. The discovery sheds light on the cognitive abilities and presence of early humans in Southern Spain during the Middle Early Paleolithic period, a previously lesser-known period in the region.
The engraving, found on a massive stone block, suggests deliberate artistic or symbolic behavior by early settlers. Scientists are conducting further assessments using quartz analysis and high-resolution 3D scans to confirm the dating and analyze the markings. If confirmed, this find will be crucial for understanding human migration and settlement patterns and rewriting the timeline of human habitation in the region and early human artistic expression.