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Enigmatic Petroglyphs: Decoding the Ancient Symbols of Prehistoric Sweden

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4 min readMay 31, 2023

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Archaeologists have found about 40 new petroglyphs in western Sweden. Researchers say they date back 2,700 years. The rock engravings were said to be visible from both land and sea.

[Photo: Sven Rosborn, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons]

Bohuslän is a historic land straddling the west coast of Sweden. It is located on the Skagerrak Strait. In the Scandinavian sagas, the area was called the “home of the elves.” King Harald Hårfager conquered the area in the 9th century and annexed it to the Norse tribes. It was not until the Peace of Roskilde in 1658 that the entire province except Enningdalen was ceded to the Swedes.

Prehistoric petroglyphs in western Sweden

Until now, little was known about the prehistoric times of the region. Archaeologists drew their knowledge mainly from cave art from Tanum. The latest discovery, however, may unlock the secrets of the land’s inhabitants. Indeed, on a huge rock, scientists have found some 40 new petroglyphs that depict human figures, animals and even ships. Research by radiocarbon dating showed that they were carved about 2,700 years ago.

Petroglyph is a name that comes from Greek. The word πέτρος (petros) meant rock, while γλύφειν (glyphein) meant to engrave. This type of artwork is characteristic of the Neolithic era, although this…

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