Beyond Transgressive Lands and Forgotten Seas: Towards a Maritime Understanding of Rock Art in Bohuslän

Rock carvings in Tanum, Sweden, traditionally linked to agrarian settlements due to their proximity to clay-soil plains, are now understood as markers of seasonal maritime interactions during the Bronze Age. A comprehensive shoreline study revealed that many of these plains were submerged sea bottoms, challenging long-held assumptions about land use. Reanalyzing rock art panels and surrounding terrain demonstrated that carvings were often placed near contemporary shores, suggesting a ritual significance tied to maritime activities. This reinterpretation shifts focus from terrestrial settlement patterns to the social and cultural dynamics of coastal communities during this period.

Ling, J. (2021). Beyond Transgressive Lands and Forgotten Seas: Towards a Maritime Understanding of Rock Art in Bohuslän. Current Swedish Archaeology, 12(1), 121–140. https://doi.org/10.37718/csa.2004.07