112 
THE ROCK FIGURES OF THE MARITIME ALPS. 
in about one hour the entrance to Val Fontanalba, at the head of 
which rock engravings are found in great numbers. For our 
knowledge of these we are indebted almost entirely to the researches 
of Mr. Clarence Bicknell, who for the last fourteen years has spent 
a part of each summer in drawing and taking rubbings of the 
figures. It is through his kindness that my wife and I were 
enabled, in August, 191 1, to spend a week in Val Casterino, to 
collect a large number of the rare plants with which this most 
interesting region abounds, and above all to visit and examine for 
ourselves examples of the various types of figures on the rocks of 
Val Fontanalba. 
The result of Mr. Bicknell's work, together with an account of 
earlier researches, is given by him in "The Prehistoric Rock 
Engravings of the Italian Maritime Alps," the second edition of 
which was published at Bordighera in 191 1, and to this I am 
indebted for the account contained in the present paper. 
The sculptured rocks consist of chloritic schist, polished by 
glacial action, and mostly covered with a varnish-like ferruginous 
coating, ranging in colour from pale ochre to brilliant vermilion. 
The engravings extend over an area of about seven square miles, 
at an altitude of 6600 to 8000 feet. The figures are nearly all 
made by repeated blows, probably of a flint or other stone 
implement, which Mr. Bicknell has found is more suited for the 
purpose than a metal tool, but there are a few figures with incised 
lines. No trace of any implement, either of stone or metal, has 
been found. The blows have generally cut through the coloured 
surface, so that the figures are often quite conspicuous from the 
different colour of the underlying rock, but when the surface has 
weathered off, they are only seen with difficulty and when the 
light is favourable. Occasionally the figures are cut on rocks 
without the ferruginous coating. 
The first written account of the engravings was given by the 
historian Giofreddo in the " History of the Maritime Alps," 
published in 1650. He had heard of the figures from the parish 
priest of Belvidere, in the Vesubie Valley, and says, " The above- 
mentioned lakes are called ' The Lakes of Wonders,' because near 
to them, to the wonder and amazement of beholders, are to be 
found various rocks of different colours, smooth and slippery, which 
are engraved with a thousand figures, representing quadrupeds, 
birds, fish, mechanical, rural and military implements, with 
historical and fabulous events . . . Laurenti writes that 
among other things are to be seen the figures of shields, of the 
ancient Labarum with the eagle, and of other Roman ensigns on 
long poles. From which it is to be believed that the figures were 
done many centuries ago, and that the authors of these spirited 
jokes were probably only shepherds and herdsmen who wished to 
while away their idle hours." 
We do not hear of the figures again until 1821, when 
a Mons. Fodere went to see them, and described them as sculptures 
of elephants, camels, chariots, and cuneiform inscriptions made by 
