Tourist Guide

Tanum Rock Art World Heritage Area

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Co-financed by the European Union

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Tanum World Heritage Area Position Municipality: Tanumshede County: Västra Götalands län Province: Bohuslän Travel instructions: From Gothenburg take the European main road E6 towards Oslo in Norway for approximately 132 km. Then take road 163 towards Tanumshede. At the church take right and then left and drive towards Vitlycke museum.

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General Information

The rock carvings in Tanum have beeninscribed on UNESCO's world heritagelist since 1994 with the motivation that: The rock carvings of the Tanum regionconstitute an outstanding example ofBronze Age art of the highest quality.The range of motifs provides except-ional evidence of many aspects of lifein the European Bronze Age. The con-tinuity of settlement and consistency inland use in Tanum, as illustrated bythe rock art, the archaeologicalremains, and the features of themodern landscape in the Tanumregion, combine to make this a remark-able example of continuity over eightmillennia of human history. The World Heritage Area covers anarea of approximately 45 km² fromTanumshede in the north and 9 kmdown to Trättelanda in the south. Thearea contains approximately 430known sites with carvings, of whichonly 24 or slightly under 6 percenthave been prepared for visitors withinformation boards, platforms, tracksetc.

Prepared sites Vitlycke: The Vitlycke rock art site is situated just opposite the Vitlycke Museum. The Vitlycke panel is one of Sweden’s most remarkable and most frequently visited rock art sites. The surface is smooth and sloping and the rock is light in colour. The panel is 22 meters long and 6 meters wide and water flow over parts of the carved surface. This very famous panel consists of nearly 300 figures of which approximately 170 are cup marks. The figurative content of the carving is exceptional with many unique motifs and scenes, which between them make up a living portrait of the Bronze Age environment. Outstanding is the so-called "bridal couple", with a huge phallic human figure raising an axe over their heads. Other special and interesting images are the adorant in front of a huge snake, the "devil-like" human figure in a chariot, and above all the kneeling female figure beside a tall man lying down. Half the number of cup marks is arranged in a row, and there are men fighting on both sides of the cup mark borderline. There are a large number of ship figures of different sizes, some double-lined with or without crew-strokes. There are a number of warriors, of which some have a circle shaped body, possibly a shield and equipped with axe and sword.

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Photos by Bengt A Lundberg and Jan Magnusson

There is a pathway from the main panel leading to other rock carving sites higher up in the woodland and to two large mounds situated right on top of the ridge overlooking the surrounding agricultural landscape.

Photos by Bengt A Lundberg and Jan Magnusson

Aspeberget: The Aspeberget rock art site is situated approximately 300 meters from Vitlycke Museum. There is a car park and information signs for Aspeberget at the left hand side of the road.

Photos by Bengt A Lundberg

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There are many rock carving sites on Aspeberget, but the two most famous is situated on the northern “front” side of the mountain. The first panel that you reach from the parking site is the one that is usually called just Aspeberget and it is remarkable in its richness of figures of different kind. The panel contains a beautiful sun symbol with finger-like sunbeams, carried or worshipped by two female figures. But the most striking motifs on the panel are five very vigorous and deeply cut bulls. Below the bulls there is an image of a man ploughing with an ard drawn by two animals. This is probably symbolising fertility and a prayer for a good harvest. The panel is heavily threatened by physical degradation and is therefore covered by insulating material during the winter seasons. A pathway traverses the hill leading to seven other sign posted rock carvings. Two of the largest panels are painted and the rest unpainted and two are in such bad conditions so that they have to be constantly covered. Before climbing the hill on a long flight of steps there is a panel that contains a strange human figure holding 29 balls in the form of cup marks in his enormous right hand. Further up on the hill there is a panel containing among other things a pair of ducks facing each other. Birds are of great importance in most pre-historic religions and myths in that the gods have transformed into birds or used them as messengers, scouts and means of transportation. Other panels along the pathway contain a procession of people (“the football team”), a bull leaper, ships of many shapes and sizes and a very slender horse figure.

Photos by Bengt A Lundberg and Jan Magnusson

Litsleby: If you pass the Vitlycke Museum and drive to the right after approximately 300 meters there are signs to Litsleby rock art site where there is a big car park. There is an information sign in different languages. This rock art site is also known as the Spear God’s rock face and the Litsleby rock art site is dominated by a huge human figure carrying a spear. It is probably the largest figure of a person in Europe and has been interpreted as the god Odin, the As God of War, whose attribute was a spear. The carvings are painted red and the site has been equipped with a ramp that makes it possible for anyone to come close to get a good view of the carvings. The rock face is badly eroded and very fragile, and must not be walked on.

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Photos by Bengt A Lundberg and Jan Magnusson

Above the rock carving there is an Iron Age burial ground and only 100 meters from Litsleby there is yet another small but famous rock art site called Tegneby depicting a horsemen scene. The carvings build a scene that was probably carved at one and the same time. The rectangular shields carried by the riders indicate that the carvings were made in the early Iron Age, probably between 400-100 B.C.

Photos by Jan Magnusson

Fossum: Take European main road E6 and then road 163 against Bullarebygden/Åmål and drive 1 km. The car park is on the left side of the road while the Fossum panel is on the right side of the road. There is an information sign in different languages. The rock art site Fossum is one of the major rock art localities in Bohuslän and one of the most striking. The carved area is approximately 25 square meters and consists of about 130 figures carved in a very elegant technique. The closely connected composition and similarity in cutting style are indication that the majority of the carvings were carried out by one person.

Photos by Jan Magnusson

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The Fossum panel is a fine example of scenic representation in that the scenes are inter-connected and tell a story. This is characteristic of many of the carvings in Tanum and was contributory to their inclusion in the World Heritage List. The rock surface is smooth granite and slightly sloping. There are natural cracks forming separate panels where the carvings have been made. The Fossum panel consists of ship figures, human figures, weapons, tools, animal figures, circle figures, footprints, cup marks and one obscure figure. Especially worth noticing is the image where a human figure is killing an animal. Also the female figure with a cup mark between the legs and long hair is interesting. The male figures with enlarged calves and the beautiful deers are also special.

Photos by Jan Magnusson and Ragnar Utne

There is also a marked track leading 200 m east to two more interesting rock carving panels. At the end of the track the famous Balken panel is situated containing the most beautiful sun-horse in Bohuslän. World Heritage Walks World Heritage Walks started as a project aiming at a stronger support of Tanum World Heritage among landowners and those living in the area. A group of persons interested has met since 2006 to study the history of the rock carvings in all aspects’. As a result the idea was born of connecting three rock carving areas on their land with a walking path. During the first half of 2007 they were working with clearing of trees, cleaning of rocks, building of wooden bridges, marking out the path and writing information texts. Vitlycke museum has supervised these activities and the County Administrative Board has financially supported the cost of materials. To reach the car park and the starting point take the main road from Vitlycke Museum 3 km south and turn left towards Ljungbytorp. After 1 km you can se the car park to the right. Here is the start of an exciting walking tour that will bring you to different rock carving sites – each of which is unique. Wooden posts with red painted tops mark the footpath that starts and ends at the car park. There are a few plain resting-places along the path where you may eat your packed lunch and remember to bring your refuse back home.

Photos by Jan Magnusson

The first stop is at Lövåsen with a well-known axe bearing shaman and the next panel is the Rune Rock in Gerum, where the central engraving is a large swing. After a relaxing walk along farm roads and an old cattle trail you will reach the third stop; Sotetorp. The most unique of all the carved images there are a “voltigeure” leaping over a ship at the first panel and higher up on the hill is a large net pattern with two boats attached to it. On your way back

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you have the opportunity to turn left to a nice viewpoint were you can look out over the cultural landscape that has been shaped by human activities since the Bronze Age, 1.800-500 B.C.

Dating The rock carvings of Southern Scandinavia are generally dated to the middle and later part of the Bronze Age, c. 1500-500 BC. Best time to visit Many of the rock art sites made available for tourists are painted red, so the figures are possible to see all day round. Carvings that are not painted red are easiest to see and photograph in the early morning or late afternoon, when the light falls lower across the rock.

Photos by Ragnar Utne

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Other attractions in the Tanum World Heritage Area The Tanum World

Heritage Areaconsists of verymany rock artsites but alsoother ancientremains. At thetop of the ridge atthe Vitlycke panelthere are twogreat moundsfrom the BronzeAge, overlookingthe Tanum plain.

Photos by Ragnar Utne

Just opposite the Vitlycke panel there is a rock art museum called Vitlycke Museum. The museum is relatively new (1998) with permanent exhibitions where tourists are able to find information and help in finding rock art. In addition to rock art the museum also exhibits other aspects of the Bronze Age society, amongst which is a reconstructed building of a Bronze Age house. The museum is opened from April - September every day 10-18. It costs admission. During the winter the museum is only open for pre-booked visits. For more information use the webaddress: http://www.vitlyckemuseum.se/

Photos by Jan Magnusson

Tanum Rock Art Museum is a private

rock art museum run by the ScandinavianSociety for Prehistoric Art and is situated inUnderslös approximately 1 km east of theFossum site and it is open from June toAugust, 10-17. It costs no admission butgifts are encouraged. For more informationuse the webaddress: http://www.rockartscandinavia.se/

Photo by Gerhard Milstreu

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Other attractions in the region The Greby Burial Ground is the largest in Bohuslän. If you take road 163 towards Grebbestad and before Grebbestad village take left, there is a car park for the Burial Ground. There are more than 180 visible graves, but the true number is probably much higher. Some of the graves have standing stones. Dating of the excavated graves put them from the Iron Age, from 400-500 A.D.

Photos by Jan Norrman and Bengt A Lundberg

A virgin outer archipelago, a sheltering barrier of islands, a cost with deep penetrating fjords, elongated mountain ridges and cultivated valleys are characterising the neighbouring western coast. The coast and the archipelago of Bohuslän with its beautiful scenery therefore offer a wide range of experience attractions like hiking, bicycling, mountaineering, windsurfing, fishing, diving and boating as well as relaxation with golfing, swimming and sunbathing. Where to stay? There is a large selection of different kinds of accommodations available in the area ranging from high-class hotels to homely pensions and elementary camping grounds. Below is a list of selected accommodations. For a complete list of accommodations and events please visit the website: http://tanum.vastsverige.com/ TanumStrand TanumStrand is a complete, full-service, all-year-round facility. Stay in the hotel, in a cabin with patio and fully equipped kitchen or on your own boat in our guest harbour. Website: www.tanumstrand.se

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Stora Hotellet, Fjällbacka A first-rate exotic hotel with individually decorated and furnished rooms with a sea view in the centre of the fishing village of Fjällbacka. Website: www.storahotellet-fjallbacka.se

Tanums Gestgifveri A man named Björn from Hee started the inn with royal approval in 1663 and it has been in operation ever since. Currently it is one of the oldest inns in Sweden. Website: www.tanumsgestgifveri.com

Grebbestad Family Camping and Fjorden Guest House A boarding house with both hotel and hostel accommodation and breakfast room located in central Grebbestad 150 m from the sea and a large beach suitable for children. Website: www.grebbestadfjorden.com

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Bryggan Fjällbacka The residential area has 28 beds, divided between 2 double rooms, 2 family rooms, 1 attic room and 1 apartment. There is also an á la carte restaurant with an open plan kitchen and an upstairs piano bar. Website: www.brygganfjallbacka.se

Fjällbacka Guest House & Youth Hostel Website: www.fjallbacka.net Bohusläns Bed & Breakfast Website: www.bohuslansbandb.com Tanum Camping & Cottage Village Website: www.camping.se/o57 Saltvik Camping, Grebbestad Website: www.camping.se/o45 Fjällbacka Camping Website: www.fjallbackacamping.o.se Edsviksbadet Family Camping, Grebbestad Website: www.camping.se/o09

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