L1935:5803 Hällristning - Näsåker, Västernorrlands län, Sweden
N 63° 26.455 E 016° 52.960
33V E 593910 N 7036097
There are nearly 2000 rock carvings at the Nämforsen waterfall near Näsåker.
Waymark Code: WM17BEK
Location: Västernorrland, Sweden
Date Posted: 01/20/2023
Views: 5
The rock carvings "Nämforsens Hällristningar" are one of Northern Europe's largest concentrations of petroglyphs with more than 2500 figures on the islands of the river Ångermanälven beside the Nämforsen waterfall west of Näsåker, near Sollefteå in Västernorrlands Län in Sweden. The area described in the preservation document includes the two islands and the shores of the river is 500m long and between 100m and 240m wide and contains 1960 officially counted petroglyphs. First known description of the rock carvings were in 1873, but it took until 1994 when the area was added to the register.
Moose are most often shown, but also dogs, salmon, people, birds, sun wheels, bowls and ships are also represented. The motifs confirm that farmers and hunters lived here, but at different times, because the rock carvings and archeological findings were dated to the Neolithic and the older Bronze Age.
The rock carvings are preserved by "Nämforsens Hällristningsmuseum" in Näsåker. A wooden walkway leads past the petroglyphs, thus protecting the fragile rock carvings from being stepped upon. It is allowed to visit the area all day, but best would be during the bright hours. Between June 15th and August 15th are two guided tours (at 12:00 and at 14:30) on every day except Mondays, the guided tour and the visit to the area is free of charge.
References:
- Website of the Museum
- Entry in the RAA database (Swedish language).