Conserved non-coding elements (CNEs) are defined using various degrees of 
sequence identity and thresholds of minimal length. Their conservation 
frequently exceeds the one observed for protein-coding sequences. We explored 
the chromosomal distribution of different classes of CNEs in the human genome. 
We employed two methodologies: the scaling of block entropy and box-counting, 
with the aim to assess fractal characteristics of different CNE datasets. Both 
approaches converged to the conclusion that well-developed fractality is 
characteristic of elements that are either extremely conserved between species 
or are of ancient origin, i.e. conserved between distant organisms across 
evolution. Given that CNEs are often clustered around genes, we verified by 
appropriate gene masking that fractal-like patterns emerge even when elements 
found in proximity or inside genes are excluded. An evolutionary scenario is 
proposed, involving genomic events that might account for fractal distribution 
of CNEs in the human genome as indicated through numerical simulations.