Always Ritual, Symbolic and Religious? An Essay on the Alta Rock Art and the Archaeological Quest for Meaning

A critical examination of the Alta rock art in Northern Norway reveals that interpretations, while diverse, share a common framework centered on ritual, circumpolar cosmology, and symbolic communication. The study questions the reliance on ethnographic sources and concepts like shamanism to assign 'deeper meaning' to the art, challenging the assumption that such art is inherently religious or world-shaping. It proposes alternative approaches to understanding rock art beyond traditional interpretative imperatives.

Tansem, K. (2022). Always Ritual, Symbolic and Religious? An Essay on the Alta Rock Art and the Archaeological Quest for Meaning. Norwegian Archaeological Review, 55(2), 159–185. https://doi.org/10.1080/00293652.2022.2101938