Prehistory and Roman age

In the area surrounding the town were found some fragments of artefacts and tools dated back to the Palaeolithic and Neolithic age, like an ax's front. These evidences confirm the possible existence of "stations" (settlements more or less temporary) in the area where nowadays Cortemilia is situated from the sixth until the second millennium BC.

The original center of Cortemilia is probably of pre-Roman origins but It bloomed during the Roman administration. The importance of Cortemilian during the Roman time is proved by some tombstones found just next the town centre.

Inside the town's coat of arm the name of the town is displayed in Latin language "Cohors Aemilia", which, according to a highly accredited hypothesis, is referred is referred to the console Marco Emilio Scaurus. He was the creator of the track "Via Aemilia Scauri" that connected Luni Vada Sabatia (Savona) with Its hinterland.