Sacred Destinations

Alta Rock Carvings 

Alta Rock Art
Photo Creative Commons License nuakin.

Alta Rock Carvings
Photo Creative Commons License Davide Abrigo.


Photo Creative Commons License Ingunn Kjøl Wiig.

Petroglyph of Human
Human figure with tools. Photo Creative Commons License Ingunn Kjøl Wiig.

Petroglyph of an Animal
Photo Creative Commons License Ingunn Kjøl Wiig.

Domestic Animals Petroglyph
Fences indicatig domestication of animals. Photo licensed under GFDL.

Man and Moose
Photo Creative Commons License Jurek Durczak.

Boat
Humans hunting and fishing on a boat. Photo Creative Commons License Nik.

View of Alta Museum
General view of the open-air Alta Museum. Photo licensed under GFDL.

Location map and aerial view of Alta Rock Carvings. For a larger interactive view, see our Norway Map.




Located in the far north of Norway near the Arctic Circle, the Alta Rock Carvings are an extensive and important collection of petroglyphs dating from 4200 to 500 BC. First discovered in 1967, the 5,000+ rock carvings were designated a World Heritage Site in 1985. According to UNESCO, the Alta petroglyphs are "the most important piece of evidence in favor of the existence of human activity in the confines of the Great North in the prehistoric period."

History

The rock art at Alta has been dated to about 4200 to 500 BC, incorporating four main phases of work. The carvings and paintings were made on the rocks along the fjord as the glaciers from the Ice Age receded; therefore the artworks found highest on the rocks are the oldest, while the petroglyphs closest to present sea level are the newest. There is a difference of about 26 meters between the two extremes.

The modern history of the Alta carvings began in 1967, when they were first discovered and studied. They were designated a World Heritage Site in 1985. Alta Museum opened in June 1991 and won the European Museum of the Year Award in 1993. 

What to See

The petroglyphs (rock art) at Alta consist of over 5,000 paintings and carvings scattered over 45 sites. The main site, which is now the open-air Alta Museum, contains about 3,000 petroglyps. The paintings have been retouched in bright red paint by researchers, but are otherwise entirely original.

The main site of the petroglyphs are part of an open-air museum called Alta Museum, which also includes an excellent indoor exhibition covering both the rock art and the general prehistoric history of the region.

From the museum, visitors follow a well-marked path and boardwalk that leads down a gently sloping hill to the fjord then loops around the site. Along the path are 13 stopping points for viewing the rock art up close. A typical self-guided tour lasts about an hour; guided tours are available in summer.

The petroglyphs are highly stylized and depict a wide range of subjects, including: geometrical symbols; animals such as bears, moose, and reindeer; and human activities such as hunting, fishing, navigation, and rituals. Agricultural activities, with domesticated animals inside fences, appear among the newest petroglyphs (approaching 500 BC).

Getting There

Alta has a local airport and is located on the E6, a major highway. You can take a long-distance bus to Alta Sentrum, from where it is 4.5km back along the E6 to the rock carvings. To shorten the walk, get off at the bus station at Alta Sentrum and take a local bus to Bossekop, from where it is a 2.5km walk. Another option is a taxi: call Alta Taxi at 78 43 53 53.

Travel Resources

Quick Facts

Site Information
Names: Alta Rock Carvings; Helleristningene i Hjemmeluft; Alta Rock Carvings; Alta Rock Art
Location:North Norway, Norway
Faith:Prehistoric
Category: Rock Art; World Heritage Sites
Architecture: Bronze Age
Date:c.4200-500 BC
Features:Petroglyphs
Status:museum
Visitor Information
Address:Alta Museum IKS, Altaveien 19, 9518Â ALTA
Coordinates: 69.946944° N, 23.187778° E   (view on Google Maps)
Lodging:View hotels near this location
Phone:+47 78 45 63 30
Website:www.alta.museum.no
E-mail:Use contact form on official website above
Opening hours:Oct-Apr: Mon-Fri: 9-3, Sat-Sun: 11-4
May & Sept: daily 9-6 (closed May 1 and 17)
Jun 1 - Aug 20: daily 8am-9pm
Aug 21-31: daily 8-6
Cost:Oct 1 - Apr 30: 45kr adults
May 2 - Sept 30: 85kr adults
Facilities:Site museum; gift shop; etc.

Note: This information was accurate when published and we do our best to keep it updated, but details such as opening hours can change without notice. To avoid disappointment, please check with the site directly before making a special trip.

Article Sources

  1. Rock Art of Alta - UNESCO World Heritage List
  2. Alta - Rough Guide to Scandinavia
  3. Alta Museum - official website
  4. Rock carvings at Alta - Wikipedia


Last updated on October 25, 2009.





 

 

 

 

 

 


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