We present first data on sub-threshold production of K-s(0) mesons and Lambda hyperons in Au+Au collisions at root s(NN) = 2.4 GeV. We observe an universal < A(part)> scaling of hadrons containing strangeness, independent of their corresponding production thresholds. Comparing the yields, their < A(part)> scaling, and the shapes of the rapidity and the p(t) spectra to state-of-the-art transport model (UrQMD, HSD, IQMD) predictions, we find that none of them can simultaneously describe these observables with reasonable chi(2) values. (C) 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.