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.

Legnér, M. (2026). Nordic rock art and Nazi mythology: the Ahnenerbe and the search for Germanic origins. Antiquity, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2026.10430