In the alpine valley of Val Camonica, northern Italy, lies one of the richest collections of prehistoric petroglyphs in Europe—etched into stone across millennia. Among them stands a particularly enigmatic carving: a tall figure with a radiant “helmet” or aura, surrounded by dots of light, while two smaller figures appear seated beneath. While many scholars interpret this as a spiritual or ritualistic symbol of the Neolithic or Bronze Age, others propose a more radical idea—that it depicts early contact with extraterrestrial beings.

The petroglyphs of Val Camonica span a period from roughly 8000 BCE to 1000 BCE, covering the Late Paleolithic, Neolithic, Bronze Age, and Iron Age. The image shown here belongs to the category known as “figures with radiant heads,” which are mostly dated to around 2500–1000 BCE, a transitional phase between the Bronze and Iron Ages. The carvings were created using stone or early metal tools directly on granite surfaces.

The central figure stands upright, with arms slightly outstretched and a tall, slender body. Most notable is the large circular “helmet” or halo surrounding the head, decorated with spiral motifs inside—possibly representing a mask, metallic headgear, or radiant aura. Dots encircle the outside, evoking light rays or stars. Two smaller figures sit or kneel below, each holding tools resembling hammers or chisels, facing the main figure. The composition suggests reverence, ritual, or interaction.

From a mainstream archaeological view, the radiant-headed figure may represent a solar deity or shaman—an intermediary between the human and divine realms. The surrounding dots symbolize the cosmos or divine illumination. The image could be part of a ceremonial record or a visual storytelling tradition from the Bronze Age.

Supporters of the “ancient astronaut” theory believe the headgear is actually a helmet or space suit. The radiant dots are interpreted as lights or technology, and the seated figures are local humans being taught or guided. Similar figures have been found in South America, Australia, and Siberia—suggesting a global motif of “sky gods.”

With over 10,000 petroglyphs, Val Camonica offers a silent symphony from a lost civilization. And the radiant-headed figure continues to confound us: is it a god, an alien, or a projection from the deepest human psyche? Whatever the answer, its symbolic power and the depth of ancient thought remain undeniable.