Publications
Nordic rock art and Nazi mythology: the Ahnenerbe and the search for Germanic origins
A detailed analysis of the Ahnenerbe's expeditions to Swedish rock carvings reveals how Nazi Germany's pseudoscientific pursuits involved creating meticulous casts of ancient artworks, ostensibly for archaeological study but driven by racist ideologies. The research examines the production and interpretation of these casts, challenging the notion that their primary purpose was scholarly when, in reality, they were part of a broader effort to falsify history for political propaganda. By scrutinizing archival materials, this study exposes the methods and motivations behind such expeditions, underscoring the intersection of archaeology and Nazi mythology.
Rock carving depth reflects carvers’ geological insight
Bronze Age rock carvers in Tanum demonstrated remarkable geological insight by selecting and engraving panels with pre-existing microfracture zones, allowing deeper carvings than previously thought possible. The study reveals that carvings, averaging 0.96–1.52 mm deep, were confined to the first weak layer of Bohus granite, exceeding post-glacial weathering limits (≤1 mm). Using ultrasonic B-scans and photogrammetry, researchers identified reflective horizons at ~8-20 mm depth, consistent with paraglacial stress-relief microfractures. This suggests carvers strategically chose locations based on geological conditions, challenging the assumption that weathering was the sole limiting factor for carving depth.
Everyone Has to Start Somewhere: Democratisation of Digital Documentation and Visualisation in 3D
A significant shift towards democratizing digital documentation and visualization in archaeology is highlighted, emphasizing the potential to broaden access to complex digital methods without compromising specialization. The study, focusing on carved rock art at Tanum, introduces key criteria for effective democratization, such as self-reflection and future-proofing publication practices. It argues that expanding digital data analysis and dissemination benefits all stakeholders by fostering innovation and reducing the lag between technological advancement and widespread adoption. This approach aims to stimulate broader discussions on 'digital affect' and methodological curation in archaeological research.
Acessing centuries of documentation - Resources to improve access to Swedish rock art documentation and metadata
A significant advancement in the accessibility of Swedish rock art documentation has been achieved through a collaboration between GRIDH and SHFA. The project has developed new digital resources, including a Django-based solution, to enhance access to an extensive archive of rock art images spanning from the 17th century to modern high-resolution 3D recordings. This initiative aims to improve data availability for archaeologists and researchers, potentially transforming rock art research by providing unprecedented access to detailed documentation and metadata. The study reflects on the impact of these new resources, highlighting their potential to bridge gaps in historical documentation and facilitate broader research.
Tracing the carvers on the rocks
A groundbreaking study on the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tanum's rock carvings reveals new insights into Bronze Age carvers' techniques and societal roles. By analyzing carving methods, bedrock choices, and style variations, researchers have begun to bridge gaps in our understanding of these ancient artisans. The project employs advanced AI algorithms to quantify motifs and grain structures, offering a novel approach to studying rock art. Unlike previous work that focused on 'pecking,' this study emphasizes the broader concept of carving, providing a more nuanced perspective on Bronze Age society's technical skills and scientific knowledge.
Prehistoric history in Swedish primary school education: pupils’ expression of empathy after visiting a cultural heritage site
A field trip to Vitlycke, a UNESCO-listed rock carving site in Sweden, significantly enhanced primary school pupils' historical empathy by integrating cognitive and affective dimensions. The study found that immersive sensory experiences deepened their understanding of Bronze Age life while fostering emotional connections, demonstrating the importance of both imagination and structured follow-up in developing empathy. This approach broadens the potential for educational engagement with cultural heritage sites.
Swedish Rock Art Research Archives
Swedish Rock Art Research Archives (SHFA) have significantly advanced the study of Scandinavian Bronze Age rock art, providing unprecedented access to original documentation that has long been a bottleneck for research. This collection, spanning 1700-500 BC, offers critical insights into Bronze Age ideology, religion, society, and social complexity, with depictions of boats, wagons, weapons, humans, animals, and ritual features. The SHFA's establishment in 2007 has catalyzed a surge in academic interest, leading to an explosion of national and international doctoral dissertations and monographs on the topic. By addressing historical gaps in documentation, the SHFA has not only deepened our understanding of Bronze Age cultures but also highlighted parallels with contemporary societal concerns such as organized conflict, rituals, and social inequality.
Bringing it all together
A photogrammetric survey of the Bronze Age rock art panel Tanum 247:1 in Kalleby, Sweden, uncovered a previously undocumented boat carving that had eluded researchers for over 50 years. This discovery underscores the potential of integrating digital and traditional documentation methods to enhance our understanding of ancient rock art. By combining historical records with modern techniques, the study not only verified the new finding but also advocated for more comprehensive future surveys—both to uncover hidden carvings and to generate richer datasets for archaeological research. The approach demonstrates how cross-disciplinary collaboration can bridge gaps in long-standing documentation efforts.
Water Flows and Water Accumulations on Bedrock as a Structuring Element of Rock Art
A novel method to quantify water flow and accumulation on bedrock panels reveals that water played a significant structuring role in the placement of rock art. By combining photogrammetric models with simulations using NetLogo and the SAGA hydrology package, researchers analyzed Bohus-granite panels from south-western Sweden. The approach demonstrates how water influences image density and distribution, even on widely separated panels where direct observation is impossible. This method is adaptable to various rock art types, regardless of rock condition or microfauna, offering a powerful tool for comparative studies.
Artificial Intelligence, 3D Documentation, and Rock Art—Approaching and Reflecting on the Automation of Identification and Classification of Rock Art Images
Researchers developed AI models capable of automatically identifying and classifying Bronze Age rock carvings (petroglyphs) with high accuracy, particularly for boats, circles, human figures, and wheels. Using a novel 3D documentation method that reduces bias, the team trained faster region-based convolutional neural networks (Faster-RCNN) on over 4000 images from 408 scans of rock art sites in Tanum, Sweden. Data augmentation and transfer learning enhanced model performance, demonstrating the potential for AI to unlock new insights into Bronze Age social structures and ideologies. This interdisciplinary study also reflects on the implications of integrating artificial intelligence with archaeology and digital humanities.
Beyond Transgressive Lands and Forgotten Seas: Towards a Maritime Understanding of Rock Art in Bohuslän
Rock carvings in Tanum, Sweden, traditionally linked to agrarian settlements due to their proximity to clay-soil plains, are now understood as markers of seasonal maritime interactions during the Bronze Age. A comprehensive shoreline study revealed that many of these plains were submerged sea bottoms, challenging long-held assumptions about land use. Reanalyzing rock art panels and surrounding terrain demonstrated that carvings were often placed near contemporary shores, suggesting a ritual significance tied to maritime activities. This reinterpretation shifts focus from terrestrial settlement patterns to the social and cultural dynamics of coastal communities during this period.
Female agency in BA Scandinavia as represented in rock art - rethinking the mourning woman in Vitlycke, Tanum.
Rock art from the Nordic Bronze Age reveals significant insights into female agency and social structures. Analyzing 3,372 anthropomorphic figures in Sweden and Norway, researchers found that sexual differences, bodily features, and objects depicted in carvings reflect complex social realities of the period. A notable focus is on the 'mourning woman' motif at Vitlycke, Tanum, which challenges traditional interpretations by highlighting female roles beyond passive mourning. The study applies frameworks like Amartya Sen's capability approach and gender theory to interpret these visual representations, suggesting that rock art offers a nuanced window into Bronze Age Scandinavian society.
Imaginary Vessels in the Late Bronze Age of Gotland and South Scandinavia: Ship Settings, Rock Carvings and Decorated Metalwork
A comparative analysis of Bronze Age ship settings on Gotland with rock carvings and metalwork from South Scandinavia suggests that the largest ship settings may have served as cult houses or symbolic representations of the island itself, akin to mainland Bronze Age cult structures. The study explores two key interpretations: one linking vessels to solar mythology, particularly their role in transporting the sun, and another emphasizing their association with the dead. By examining depictions across multiple media—ship settings, rock carvings, and decorated metalwork—the research reveals nuanced insights into the cultural significance of seagoing vessels during this period, potentially reflecting the distinctive social organization of Gotlandic communities.
Lonesome Sailing Ship - Reflections on the Rock-Carvings of Sweden and Their Interpreters
Rock-carving interpretations should be integrated into broader archaeological discourse and local contexts, focusing not only on the significance of images but also on the act of carving itself. This study argues that while previous research has largely been confined to specific interpretative frameworks—such as religious or status manifestations—a more comprehensive approach is needed. It highlights the shift in scholarly interest over time, from a dominant religious perspective in the early 20th century to a focus on ritual dimensions in the 1990s. The research emphasizes the importance of contextualizing rock-carvings within contemporaneous ancient remains and studying the carving act's meaning rather than just the images' significance.
Narrative Aspects of Images of Spear Use in Scandinavian Rock Carvings
Scandinavian rock carvings, particularly those depicting spear use in Bohuslän and Östergötland, Sweden, contain mini-narratives that likely served as mnemonic devices for Bronze Age communities. These images reveal indexical relationships directing attention to targets, corresponding to familiar action scripts. The study suggests that concepts like iconicity, indexicality, scripts, and mini-narratives can advance research on Scandinavian rock art and similar visual narratives beyond the region.
Picturing the Meaning of Scandinavian Rock Art – Graphic Representations, Archaeological Interpretations and Material Alterations
Scandinavian rock art, particularly at sites like Tanum, has been significantly altered by modern practices aimed at enhancing visitor legibility. This study reveals that the production of graphic representations since the mid-19th century has introduced an interpretative bias favoring mimetic qualities over materiality, leading to widespread red painting of carvings. Such alterations transform the stone's materiality into a visual language aligned with graphic representations, thereby altering the original archaeological remains. The research employs a reflective overview approach, analyzing the recursive relationship between graphic depictions and interpretative practices in archaeology.
Special Issue – Rock Art Conservation and Management
A special issue of Conservation and Management of Archaeological Sites presents global advancements in rock art preservation, highlighting innovative strategies from Australia, Tanzania, the United States, and Sweden. The research underscores the critical need for adaptive management approaches to protect these irreplaceable cultural heritage sites from environmental degradation, human impact, and natural decay. Contributions emphasize the integration of traditional knowledge with modern conservation techniques, such as non-invasive monitoring, climate-controlled display methods, and community-led preservation initiatives. By synthesizing case studies from diverse regions, the issue provides actionable insights for safeguarding rock carvings—such as those in Tanum, Sweden—for future generations.
A Multisensory Approach to Rock Art: Exploring Tactile and Visual Dimensions in the Southern Scandinavian Rock Art Tradition
A multisensory approach to Scandinavian rock art, particularly at UNESCO World Heritage Site Rock Carvings in Tanum, reveals that tactile and visual elements interact dynamically to convey meaning. This study challenges the traditional view of rock art as purely visual by demonstrating how its structure, including features like orthographic perspective, 'tactile markers,' and incomplete images, facilitates multisensory comprehension. The research argues that the physical creation process—hands interacting with tools and rock surfaces—and human tendencies to explore through touch play pivotal roles in interpreting these ancient carvings. By analyzing key design choices from a semiotic perspective, the study proposes that incomplete images may serve as iconic indices, representing whole imagined pictures. This innovative approach offers new insights into how Scandinavian rock art relays meaning to perceivers.
Giving the Past a Future: Essays in Archaeology and Rock Art Studies in Honour of Dr. Phil. h.c. Gerhard Milstreu
A collection of scholarly essays celebrates Dr. Gerhard Milstreu's 40-year contribution to rock art research and documentation, highlighting his pioneering work in promoting the significance of images in archaeology, fostering international collaboration, and engaging the public with prehistoric art. The volume brings together contributions from Europe, addressing themes such as rock art interpretation, technological advancements in recording, and public involvement. It reflects Milstreu's emphasis on giving the past a future by encouraging interdisciplinary dialogue and mentoring the next generation of researchers.
‘Changing of the Guards’
Heritage management's traditional approach to cultural preservation, exemplified by the rock carvings at Tanum in Sweden, prioritizes public accessibility and participation while adhering to a strict epistemological standpoint on authenticity. This perspective values cultural heritage solely based on its historical significance, influencing how these sites are handled, staged, presented, and preserved. The study highlights ethical considerations in heritage management, particularly the relationship between managers and the public, as well as the balance between preservation and accessibility.
You are here:
World Heritage Explorer > World Heritage Research > World Heritage Sites > Rock Carvings in Tanum