Archaeologists in Spain have discovered what might be the oldest known rock cravings made by humans over 200,000 years ago. The latest uncovering could transform entire understanding of human history in Europe. The researchers reported the finding of an ‘X’ shaped graphic design on a stone bloack during an excavation which took place at the Coto Correa site in Las Chapas district, Marbella.
A number of stone tools have previously been discovered in and around the site including some of the oldest found in Europe, dating back to the early Paleolithic era. Excavations in the reigon which followed have uncovered more early human stone tools which has aided in dating the site, including a huge block of stone discovered in 2022. The simple line cravings featured on the stone block confirm the presence of occupancy of settles in southern Spain during the Early Middle Paleolithic.
This is significant as researchers describe the time period as one “little known in Spain and unprecedented in the province of Malaga”. Additionally, the experts say that the engravings on the stone could be the oldest known cravings made by humans.
Until now, the earliest known stone tools date from between 1,500,000 to 100,000 BC, confirming the presence of prehistoric humans in the Marbella region during a period when modern humans began migrating out of Africa, The Independent reports.
However, early analysis of the giant block of stone suggest the carvings are potentially around 200,000 year olds, probably predating the oldest known cave art by 100,000 years.
In a statement, the Marbella City Council said: “This unique stone, which contains a set of graphic representations of huma origin could be 100,000 years older than the oldest cave art depictions.”
Scientists are carrying out more assessments to confirm the dating of the stone and the carving. “The techniques applied for absolute dating consist of quartz analysis of different sediment samples, which will allow for a precise chronology of the samples,” the city council said.
The researchers are also aiming to conduct a high-resolution 3D scanning of the rock to obtain a virtual composite of the set of marks which according to the Marbella City Council will permit the surface to be “studied in maxium detail, allowing for the identification of working marks and graphic elements.”
The experts suspect that the Stone Age humans who made these markings were probably part of an early wave of human migrants leaving Africa and entering into Europe.
If confirmed to be the oldest human-made rock carvings, the Coto Correa site could become the key to comprehending human migration and settlement across the continent, the scientists say.