A recent discovery beneath the Kolsåstoppen hill in the municipality of Bærum, located in eastern Norway, has once again drawn the attention of the scientific community to prehistoric . These artworks were created over 3,000 years ago.
Experienced rock art hunter Tormod Fjeld stumbled upon an astonishing collection of carved images while out for a walk with his daughter. What began as a casual exploration quickly turned into a scientific discovery.
The most striking features were the large depictions of ships—a recurring motif in Scandinavian rock art from the Bronze Age. Some were carved vertically, while others appeared upside down.
Experts who later dated these carvings to approximately 1800-500 B.C. viewed them as symbolic representations of journeys, trade, rituals, and cosmological beliefs related to the sun and the afterlife. Carved ship images have previously been found at well-known archaeological sites with rock art, such as Tanum in Sweden and Alta in northern Norway. This suggests shared cultural and symbolic traditions that were widespread across much of prehistoric Scandinavia.
In addition to the ship images, Fjeld discovered a large footprint and a hand with five thick fingers, as reported by Arkeonews. Human body parts are a relatively rare motif in Norwegian rock art compared to animals and ships, making these carvings particularly intriguing. Scholars typically associate footprints and handprints with rituals, viewing them as territorial markers or symbols of identity and ownership. Similar images in other Scandinavian regions are linked to participation in ceremonies or sacred landscapes.
Carved Image of a Bronze Age Ship
Deep Knowledge of the Landscape as a Key to Discoveries
Fjeld emphasized that the discovery of these rock carvings is not a coincidence but rather the result of a profound understanding of the landscape. He believes that knowledge of local features, such as ancient shorelines, sun-facing rock surfaces, and proximity to prehistoric waterways, is crucial.
During the Bronze Age, sea levels were significantly higher, meaning many carvings that are now far from the shore were once located nearby. This is characteristic of Norway as a whole, where rock carvings are often found along former maritime routes.
An approach based on landscape knowledge not only aids in the discovery of carved images but also provides insight into how prehistoric people interacted with their environment.
Carving in Sandstone
An unusual aspect of the find in Bærum is the use of sandstone by the carver, rather than the more common granite. Sandstone has a softer surface, allowing individual tool marks to remain visible as small indentations. This provides valuable information about carving techniques and used during the Bronze Age.
Carvings in sandstone are less durable, making them rarer and highly valuable to researchers.
Reidun Mari Aasheim, an archaeologist from the Akershus municipality, described the discovery as “very exciting.” She noted that many cultural heritage objects in Norway remain undocumented due to limited resources. Official archaeological studies are often conducted before road construction or residential developments. Therefore, the work of dedicated amateur enthusiasts like Fjeld is crucial for expanding knowledge about the country’s prehistoric heritage.
In just 2023, Fjeld has found over 70 previously unknown rock carvings. There have been many such discoveries in other years as well. The amateur archaeologist believes that many rock images in this area are hidden underground. If this is the case, future finds could further change our understanding of Norway’s prehistoric past.
