One theory the trio has about the rock carvings is that they were intended to appear as fleeting shadow images. Klavestad, Fjeld and Tangen reveal that light and shadow are absolutely crucial in the search for more petroglyphs. (Photo: Lars Ole Klavestad) Light and shadow Try to imagine how the ocean stood a good 15 metres higher in the Bronze Age, forming long bays and levees far inland here. The petroglyphs are often located on small rock outcrops on land that is now cultivated. Most of the rock carvings in the outer part of Østfold are carved in granite that is connected to marine clay, such as found here in northern Borge. In a sense, you could say it was the same thing that Gustav Vigeland was aware of when he had the Monolith sculpture carved that stands in Frogner Park in Oslo. The smooth surfaces and fine grain of the hard Østfold granite were also very suitable for carving petroglyphs. The Bronze Age people saw the potential for agriculture in this landscape. Much of the coastal landscape in Østfold may have offered good pastures for humans and their animals 3000 years ago. “It’s a pretty big thrill when we find something exactly where our analysis indicated that it could be,” they say. Petroglyphs were also created along inland waterways that long ago stretched farther into the Østfold landscape, but which no longer exist due to the post-glacial rebound at the end of the Ice Age.įjeld, Tangen and Klavestad always conduct thorough analyses of the landscape before they go looking. We now know that a great deal of the ancient rock art in Norway was created by people who stayed close to the sea, often on a beach or svaberg, a smooth rock slope leading down to the sea. They look at maps and follow the contour lines in the landscape to see where the coastline must have been at that time. At that time, the ocean was about 15 metres higher in Østfold than it is today. In short, their secret is that they started with the idea of the sea level in the Bronze Age, around 3000 years ago. The group of friends from Østfold has revolutionized the hunt for rock carvings, or petroglyphs, in Norway. (Photo: Private) Close to ocean and waterways The three of them always touch base with the landowners before they set out on a search. The photo was taken by the farmer on the property. On this small rock outcrop in a field they found 38 cup marks. This photo is from an exploration trip in Indre Østfold where they discovered four new sites. Together, they have found close to 600 petroglyph sites. Lars Ole Klavestad (left) is a landscape architect and artist.
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