Labyrinthos Photo Library

The First Labyrinths

The earliest labyrinths are often difficult to date accurately - a labyrinth carved on a rockface several hundred years ago can often look no different to an example carved thousands of years ago. Other examples, found on objects recovered in archaelological excavations, can often be securely dated. Despite these problems, we know that the earliest labyrinths to be found in Europe are over 3000 years old, and some may be a thousand years older than this. Below are a selection of images of these 'early' labyrinths, with approximate dates of creation. For more information about these early labyrinths, you may care to read our article "The First Labyrinths," that explains a little of their origins and distribution.


*Coin from Knossos, Crete, c.280 BCE*	*Tell Rifa'at, Syria, c.1300 BCE ?*

*Luzzanas, Sardinia, Roman?*	*Coin from Knossos, Crete, c.100 BCE*

*Kom Ombo, Egypt, Roman?*	*Arcera, Spain, age uncertain*

*Pontevedra, Spain, c.2000 BCE ?*	*Pontevedra, Spain, c.2000 BCE ?*

*Pylos, Greece, c.1200 BCE*	*Pontevedra, Spain, c.2000 BCE ?*

*Val Camonica, Italy, c.750 BCE ?*	*Taouz, Morocco, c.500-200 BCE*

*Pompeii, Italy, c.79 CE*	*Pompeii, Italy, c.79 CE*

*Tragliatella Vase, Italy, c.650 BCE*	*Tragliatella Vase, Italy, c.650 BCE*

*Rocky Valley, England, c.18th c. CE*	*Rocky Valley, England, c.18th c. CE*

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