摩纳哥的早期历史主要与保护地和摩纳哥岩的战略价值有关。

在4万年前的旧石器时代后期，摩纳哥岩成为早期人类的避难所。

The early history of Monaco is primarily concerned with the protective and strategic value of the Rock of Monaco, the area's chief geological landmark, which served first as a shelter for ancient peoples and later as a fortress. Part of Liguria's history since the fall of the Roman Empire, from the 14th to the early 15th century the area was contested for primarily political reasons. Since that point, excepting a brief period of French occupation, it has remained steadily under the control of the House of Grimaldi.