Rock Art of Alta
Norway · Europe · ✦ UNESCO World Heritage Site
The most extensive collection of hunter-gatherer petroglyphs in Northern Europe.
Age
~6,200 - 2,000 yrs
Period
Stone Age to Early Metal Age
Setting
Open-air
Art form
Petroglyphs
Discovered
1973
Status
Open to Visitors
Located far above the Arctic Circle, the Alta rock carvings comprise thousands of petroglyphs illustrating the lives of hunter-gatherers in the far north. The carvings, which span over 4,000 years, show intricate scenes of reindeer hunting, boat building, fishing, and shamanic rituals, originally pecked into the grey sandstone.
Gallery
Notable Features
- ◦ Largest concentration of Arctic rock art
- ◦ Intricate maritime and hunting scenes
- ◦ Red ochre painted carvings (modern visual aid)
Depicted Subjects
ReindeerElkBearsWhalesBoatsHunters
Plan a Visit
AccessThis cave can be visited.
Sources & Further Reading
Hours & prices change — always confirm on the official site before travelling.
Photographs via Wikimedia Commons — image credits. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.