Terracotta Angel, c.1896
Watts Chapel, England
Photo ©: Jeff Saward/Labyrinthos
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Labyrinthos Photographic & Illustration Library
The earliest labyrinths are often difficult to date accurately - a labyrinth carved
on a rockface several hundred years ago can often look no different from 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 at least 4000 years old. Below are
a selection of images of these 'early' labyrinths, with approximate dates of creation.
Early & Prehistoric Labyrinths
Coin from Knossos, Crete, c.280 BCE
Pontevedra, Spain, c.2000 BCE ?
Val Camonica, Italy, c.750 BCE ?
Pontevedra, Spain, c.2000 BCE ?
Pylos, Greece, c.1200 BCE
Pontevedra, Spain, c.2000 BCE ?
Taouz, Morocco, c.500-200 BCE
Tragliatella Vase, Italy, c.650 BCE
Tragliatella Vase, Italy, c.650 BCE
Tell Rifa'at, Syria, c.1300 BCE ?
Luzzanas, Sardinia, Roman?
Val Camonica, Italy, c.750 BCE ?
Rocky Valley, England, c.18th c. CE
Rocky Valley, England, c.18th c. CE
Hollywood Stone, Ireland, Mediaeval
Pansaimol, India, Neolithic?
For more information about these early labyrinths, you may care to read the article
The First Labyrinths in the Introduction section on this website, which explains
a little of their 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.
