Rock art Natural reserve of Ceto, Cimbergo and Paspardo, Archaeological site in Valle Camonica, Italy
The rock art reserve spans about 290 hectares across three municipalities and contains around 420 stone surfaces covered with prehistoric engravings. The carved images show hunting scenes, weapons, ritual symbols, and other motifs that document the life and thought of prehistoric cultures.
The rock carvings were created over a long period, with most engravings dating to the Bronze Age, though younger additions from later periods are also present. This continuous use shows that this location held special meaning for different groups of people across thousands of years.
The carved surfaces show human figures, animals, and religious symbols that reflect the daily life and belief systems of the ancient inhabitants. These visual records offer insight into the spiritual and social values of a community that lived here thousands of years ago.
Access is through marked trails that connect different sections of the reserve, starting from parking areas near villages and leading to the main engraving sites. The best time to visit is during daylight, and be prepared for uneven terrain since the area is hilly and exposed to changing weather.
One of the most notable carvings depicts two warriors in a combat scene, which researchers interpret as an early representation of ritualized fights or power conflicts. This scene is rare among the thousands of other motifs and shows how people recorded moments of their social tensions and struggles.
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