Bedolina Map Petroglyph

The Bedolina Map Petroglyph is located in Valcamonica (Val Camonica), a valley in the Lombardy region of northern Italy. Valcamonica was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 for its extraordinary density of prehistoric rock carvings. The Bedolina rock is one of the most famous individual engravings in the valley.

The Bedolina Map is estimated to date to approximately 1500 BCE during the Bronze Age, based on stylistic comparison with other Valcamonica carvings. It is widely considered one of the oldest known topographic maps in the world. The carving depicts a landscape of rectangular field plots, paths, and enclosures across a large rock surface.

The engraving shows an organized agricultural landscape including rectangular field plots connected by paths, along with what appear to be settlement structures and irrigation channels. Some researchers interpret it as an actual land management plan for the surrounding terrain. It provides rare insight into how Bronze Age communities conceptualized and organized their territory.

Yes, the Bedolina Map is accessible through the archaeological parks of Valcamonica, most notably the Naquane National Park of Rock Engravings near Capo di Ponte. Guided and self-guided walking routes lead visitors past the major carved surfaces. Information panels at the site help identify the most significant engravings.