Archaeologists from the Foundation for Documentation of Bohuslän’s Rock Carvings have discovered a giant petroglyph carving in the Swedish province of Bohuslän.
The petroglyphs extend across 50 feet of the rock’s surface, with some as long as 13 feet and others only a few inches. The ancient etchings were created 2,700 years ago in Bohuslän, an area known for its abundance of rock carvings.
The petroglyph was discovered using ground-penetrating radar or georadar – a device that uses radio waves to map out what lies below the surface of the ground. The petroglyph is located three meters (10 feet) above today’s ground level on a steep rock face that, during the Late Bronze Age, was located on a small island. The petroglyph must have been made from a boat when the sea level was approximately 12 meters (39 feet) above today’s sea level.
The petroglyph depicts various figures, including ships, people, and animals. Most of the etchings are between 12 and 16 inches long, and according to researchers, the largest carving shows a ship that is 13 feet long. Researchers believe the four-legged animals depicted in the petroglyphs to be horses.
“This is a spectacular find which sheds light on the earliest Viking kings”, says archaeologist Håkon Reiersen. The discovery is significant because it provides new information about Viking burials and their beliefs around the afterlife. Karmøy can now boast of being the home of three Viking ships.
The discovery of this giant petroglyph carving is an exciting development for archaeologists and historians alike. It provides new insights into early human settlements and their transportation systems. It is sure to inspire further research into this fascinating period of human history.