In 2021, the so-called Saint-Belec slab was recognized as the oldest map of Europe, dating back 4,000 years. This stone features an intriguing engraving that has puzzled historians for over a century.
The mysterious slab was first discovered in 1900 by a local historian in northwestern France, who couldn’t decipher the meaning of its symbols. In 2014, archaeologists rediscovered the stone and have since been working to understand the cryptic markings etched into it. To crack this puzzle, French experts have teamed up with international colleagues.
According to the latest findings from the international research team, this slab is a giant treasure map.
Researchers are attempting to decode its engravings to accurately date the artifact. They also aim to use the treasure map to uncover a wealth of new discoveries.
The Ancient Map Could Reveal a Trove of Valuable Artifacts
Typically, ancient sites are located using sophisticated radar equipment, aerial photography, or during excavations that precede new construction projects. Utilizing an ancient map for this purpose is an unprecedented opportunity for science.
“Using a map to search for archaeological sites is a fantastic approach. We’ve never worked this way before,” noted Ivan Payler, a professor at the University of Western Brittany (UBO).
The ancient map, according to scientists, covers an area of approximately 30 by 21 kilometers. Clément Nicolas from the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) pointed out that the team needs to survey the entire area, using the slab as their guide. Researchers believe this labor-intensive project will take about 15 years, as reported by Science Alert.
In the rough contours and lines of the slab, the team identified rivers and the Roudouallec mountains, parts of the Brittany region located about 500 kilometers west of Paris.
The researchers scanned the slab and compared it to modern maps, discovering an 80 percent match. The slab is marked with tiny depressions that, according to the researchers, may indicate burial mounds, residential structures, or geological deposits. Deciphering the symbols could lead to a series of new findings.
The Story of the Slab Grows Richer
However, before diving into the analysis, archaeologists spent several weeks observing the site where the stone with symbols was originally found. According to Professor Payler, this area was home to one of the largest Bronze Age burial sites. Suddenly, while studying the territory, a miracle occurred: the team discovered several more fragments of the slab. Most likely, all of these were once parts of a tomb wall.
The territory depicted on the map may correspond to an ancient kingdom that was likely destroyed due to uprisings. Afterward, the shattered slab was repurposed as building material.