Hunting Stories in Scandinavian Rock Art: Aspects of ‘Tellability’ in the North versus the South

Scandinavian rock art, particularly petroglyphs, often evokes interpretations tied to Old Norse religion and Indo-European mythology. However, a study published in the Oxford Journal of Archaeology reveals that these images may not uniformly convey narratives. By analyzing hunting scenes from Alta, Northern Norway, and Norrköping, Middle Sweden, researchers found distinct differences in storytelling approaches. Northern rock art emphasizes procedural aspects and multiple phases of the hunt, while southern depictions focus more on confrontational elements or the act of killing itself. These variations suggest differing cultural priorities in what is deemed 'tellable' about hunting, reflecting broader regional traditions rather than a uniform narrative style.

Ranta, M., Skoglund, P., Persson, T., & Gjerde, J. M. (2020). HUNTING STORIES IN SCANDINAVIAN ROCK ART: ASPECTS OF ‘TELLABILITY’ IN THE NORTH VERSUS THE SOUTH. Oxford Journal of Archaeology, 39(3), 228–246. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/ojoa.12197