#aspeberget

Aspeberget from the sky

This remarkable aerial view shows the rock carvings of Aspeberget in Sweden from the sky. Clearly visible are carvings of several boats, large bulls with horns, sun wheels, animals and people. Some of the figures are actually life-sized. In addition to being carved into the smooth rock the images were also painted with red pigment. Unfortunately, there have also been reports of people adjusting the images with red paint to make them more visible.

Aspeberget is part of the Tanum rock art site, consisting of over a thousand images spread over 600 panels. In 1994 Tanum was inscribed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Interestingly, only 6% of the total amount of carvings is open for public. The images date from the Bronze Age into the Iron Age, running from approximately 1800 BC to 500 BC. At this time the smooth rocks were located directly on the coastline of the fjord. Since then the shoreline has withdrawn considerably due to isostasy. In Scandinavia this is due to post-glacial rebound. During the last ice age Scandinavia was covered by a huge icecap, the weight literally pushed the land down. However, now that the ice is gone (and thus the weight) the land is actually rising, moving back to a state of equilibrium.

The images at Aspeberget are extraordinary to say least. Take for example the strange round disc with forklike symbols in the right corner of the image. Two female figures seem to be pushing the disk somewhere. This disc is unique to Scandinavia. The two sun disks in the left corner of the image are a more common feature in Scandinavian rock art. Other recurring themes are dancing people with sticks, boats and bulls. The latter have been connected to fertility and farming. Note that below the two large bulls on the right you can see a person ploughing. There are also four rows of strange cupmarks (shallow round marks carved into the surface) that have been interpret by certain archaeologists as a predecessor of an calendar.

The carvings are remarkably well preserved, mainly due to the deepness in which they have been cut into the rock. However, as of late the panel is threatened by degradation. Thus, during winter the panel is protected by insulating materials.

-OW-