A discovery beneath Kolsåstoppen, a forested hill in eastern Norway, is drawing new attention to rock carvings created more than 3,000 years ago during the Bronze Age.
The find came unexpectedly. Experienced rock-carving hunter Tormod Fjeld was driving his daughter through the area when he noticed faint markings on an exposed rock surface. A closer look revealed a dense cluster of carvings, many preserved with remarkable clarity.
Archaeologists say the sharp lines and careful execution suggest the site was deliberately chosen and used repeatedly by prehistoric communities. Such concentrations are rare and often point to places tied to ritual activity, movement, or social life.
The discovery was first reported by Science Norway, which noted that even familiar landscapes can still hide major archaeological sites. Forest growth, shifting soil, and changing light conditions can conceal carvings for centuries.
Ship carvings linked to Bronze Age beliefs
Among the most striking images are large ship carvings, one of the most important symbols in Scandinavian rock art. Some ships appear upright, while others are carved upside down. Archaeologists date the figures to the Nordic Bronze Age, roughly between 1800 and 500 BCE.
Researchers say the ships likely held deep symbolic meaning. The images are often linked to seafaring and trade, but also to ritual journeys and beliefs about the sun and the afterlife. In many interpretations, ships represent movement between the human world and the spiritual realm.
Similar carvings appear across Scandinavia, suggesting shared traditions among Bronze Age societies. Well-known examples are found at Tanum in western Sweden and Alta. Archaeologists say the repeated imagery points to close cultural ties across the region.
Rare human figures carved into stone
The site also includes less common human motifs. Fjeld identified a large footprint carved into the rock, clearly showing the sole of a foot. Nearby, a hand with five thick fingers is etched into the stone. Human body parts appear far less often in Norwegian rock art than animals or ships.
3,000-year-old rock carvings discovered beneath a forested hill in Norway reveal ship symbols, rare human figures, and new insight into Bronze Age beliefs. pic.twitter.com/IuZhjl1zpN
— Tom Marvolo Riddle (@tom_riddle2025) February 3, 2026
Archaeologists say footprints and handprints often signal ritual presence or symbolic acts of identity. Some may have marked territory or participated in ceremonies. Others may reflect a desire to leave a lasting human trace in a meaningful place.
Reading the landscape reveals hidden sites
Fjeld says discoveries like this are not the result of chance alone. He explained that successful searches depend on understanding the landscape. Key indicators include ancient shorelines, sun-facing rock surfaces, and proximity to former waterways.
During the Bronze Age, sea levels were much higher than today. Many carvings now found inland once lay close to the coast, along active maritime routes. Archaeologists say this pattern appears across Norway, where rock art often follows paths of travel and exchange.
Experts say this approach also helps explain why images were placed where they were. Studying rock, water, and light together offers insight into how prehistoric people understood their surroundings.
Sandstone carvings offer rare technical detail
Another unusual feature of the site is the stone itself. Unlike many eastern Norwegian carvings made in granite, the figures here are etched into sandstone. The softer surface preserves individual tool marks, allowing researchers to study carving techniques in detail.
Sandstone erodes more easily, making such carvings rarer and more fragile. Archaeologists say their survival is especially important. The choice of material also shows that Bronze Age artists adapted their methods to local geological conditions.
Limited surveys leave much undiscovered
The discoveries have attracted attention from heritage officials. Reidun Marie Aasheim, an archaeologist with Akershus County Municipality, described the finds as “very exciting.”
Aasheim said many cultural heritage sites in Norway remain undocumented due to limited resources. Official surveys often take place only ahead of construction projects, leaving large areas unexplored. As a result, systematic work by dedicated independent researchers plays a crucial role.
New finds reshape Norway’s prehistoric map
Fjeld’s work extends beyond Bærum. Across the Oslofjord, in Frogn near Drøbak, the number of known rock carving sites has risen sharply. Since 2023, Fjeld has identified more than 70 new locations, compared with just 10 previously recorded.
Archaeologists say the surge suggests southeastern Norway may hold one of the densest concentrations of prehistoric rock art in the region. Continued fieldwork could reshape current interpretations of Bronze Age settlement and belief.
For researchers, the message is clear. Norway’s 3,000-year-old heritage is far from fully mapped, and much of it still lies hidden in the landscape.