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Petroglyphs, Inscriptions & Artefacts

The earliest labyrinths are often difficult to date accurately - a labyrinth carved on a rockface several hundred years ago can look no different from an example carved thousands of years ago. Other examples, found on objects recovered in archaeological excavations, can sometimes be securely dated, but despite these problems, we know that the earliest labyrinths to be found in Europe are possibly around 4000 years old. Below are a selection of images of these 'early' labyrinths, with approximate dates of creation, where known.

Coin from Knossos, Crete, c. 270 BCE


Mogor, Galicia, NW Spain early Bronze Age, c. 2000 BCE?	Mogor, Galicia, NW Spain early Bronze Age, c. 2000 BCE?	Mogor, Galicia, NW Spain early Bronze Age, c. 2000 BCE?

Chan do Lagoa, Galicia, NW Spain early Bronze Age, c. 2000 BCE?	Outeiro do Cribo, Galicia, NW Spain early Bronze Age, c. 2000 BCE?	Chan do Lagoa, Galicia, NW Spain early Bronze Age, c. 2000 BCE?

Lucillo, Leon, Spain Bronze Age, c. 1500 BCE?	Lucillo, Leon, Spain Bronze Age, c. 1500 BCE?	Lucillo, Leon, Spain Bronze Age, c. 1500 BCE?

Luzzanas, Sardinia Iron Age or Roman?	Naquane, Val Camonica, Italy early Iron Age, c. 750 BCE?	Campanine, Val Camonica, Italy early Iron Age, c. 750 BCE?

Tell Rifa'at, Syria age uncertain	Graffiti, Kom Ombo, Egypt Ptolemaic or Roman?	Tragliatella Vase, Italy c. 630 BCE

Clay tablet, Pylos, Greece c. 1200 BCE	Petroglyph, Tauoz, Morocco c. 500 BCE?	Detail of inscription Tragliatella Vase, Italy

Rocky Valley, Tintagel, England probably 18th century CE	Rocky Valley, Tintagel, England probably 18th century CE	Stora Anrås, Bohuslan, Sweden 17th or 18th century CE?
For more information about these early labyrinths, you may care to read the article The First Labyrinths in the Labyrinthos Archive section on this website, which explains a little of their complicated and often contentious history. All of the images on this page (and many more besides) are available in high resolution digital formats for licensed reproduction. For details of reproduction fees and permission procedures, send us an e-mail with details of your planned usage and format requirements. Coin from Knossos, Crete, c. 70 BCE