An ancient elephant foot bone discovered in southern Spain may finally prove that Hannibal’s legendary war elephants crossed ancient Europe. If confirmed, this would be the first concrete evidence that General Hannibal used battle elephants during his famous campaign against Rome. The bone was uncovered during an Iron Age excavation near Cordoba at a site called Colina de los Quemados, led by Professor Rafael M. Martínez Sánchez. Using carbon dating, researchers dated the bone to around the time of the Second Punic War (218 BCE). "Beyond ivory, the discovery of elephant remains in European archaeological contexts is exceptionally rare," said the scientific team in a paper published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports. Hannibal, a Carthaginian commander, famously led his army, including 37 war elephants, from Carthage (modern Tunisia) across Spain and France to invade Italy by crossing the Alps. The newly found bone is believed to be from an elephant that died before reaching the Alps. Alongside the bone, archaeologists found artillery, coins, and ceramics suggesting the site was linked to a battle. Scientists also compared the bone to those of modern elephants and mammoths to confirm its origin. The team noted, "As non-native species and the largest living terrestrial animals, these imported beasts would have required transportation by ship." They added that the plain bone was unlikely to have been transported for decoration or craft. Despite challenges in identifying the exact species, researchers said this bone could be "the first known relic – so sought after by European scholars – of the animals used in the Punic Roman wars for control of the Mediterranean." This find could rewrite parts of history and confirm a centuries-old legend.