Rupestri Incisions Emerge from Melting Stelvio Glacier, Dating Back 3,000 Years
At Punta Segnale, located near the Tresero glacier in Italy's Stelvio National Park, a remarkable discovery of thirteen rock engravings dating back over 3,000 years was made. These engravings, which had been concealed under ice for centuries, were uncovered in August 2017 by hiker Tommaso Malinverno at an elevation of 3,000 meters. The significance of the site was validated through investigations by the Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio and the Istituto Archeologico Valtellinese. The Bronze Age carvings feature anthropomorphic figures, a spiral, geometric shapes, and a likely ovine. Accessible via a 4.6 km trail from Rifugio Berni, the site faces threats from weathering.
Key facts
- Thirteen rock engravings discovered at Punta Segnale, near Tresero glacier, Stelvio National Park
- Engravings date back over 3,000 years, to the Bronze Age (approx. 3,600-3,200 years ago)
- Found accidentally in August 2017 by student Tommaso Malinverno at about 3,000 meters altitude
- Investigated by Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio and Istituto Archeologico Valtellinese
- Figures include 'oranti' (praying figures), a spiral, geometric elements, and a probable ovine
- Rocks were covered by ice until glacier retreat between late 1950s and early 1960s
- Site accessible via 4.6 km trail from Rifugio Berni at Passo Gavia, 472 meters elevation gain
- Part of broader Alpine rock art tradition, linked to Valtellina and Valcamonica
Entities
Artists
- Tommaso Malinverno
Institutions
- Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio
- Istituto Archeologico Valtellinese
- Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio
- Bormio Tourism
Locations
- Punta Segnale
- Tresero
- Stelvio National Park
- Valtellina
- Valle Camonica
- Rifugio Berni
- Passo Gavia
- Capanna Bernasconi
- Pizzo Tresero
- Italy