On UNESCO’s World Heritage List, and well above the Arctic Circle, the prehistoric street art here in Alta is one of the leading rock art sites in the world. They constitute the most important piece of evidence of prehistoric human activity in the Great North.
The site comprises about three thousand petroglyphs. Walking along the paths here at the open-air Alta Museum, you’ll see moose, reindeer, bears, wolves and fish, boats and hunters; in short, the kind of things our Stone Age forefathers were concerned with up here in the northern world.
The oldest engravings are more than 6000 years old, and located well above the present sea level. Through the years, the water level decreased and people moved with it. As you descend the path towards the Alta Fjord, the carvings are more recent. The ones closest to the water are only 2000 years old, mere babies in comparison.
Alta Museum
I find myself drawn to this pregnant moose. So primeval – and so timeless. I wonder whether the artist was a man or a woman.
Now, this bunch on a school outing can’t understand why I’m so interested in daue steina, dead rocks. Wouldn’t I rather photograph them, bright and alive? Can’t turn down an offer like that.
Where have you seen this ancient form of street art?
The Rock Art of Alta is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Here are more UNESCO World Heritage sites we have visited around the world.
That’s amazing. I never really thought of these kinds of paintings as ‘street art’ before, but I guess that’s just what they are – prehistoric street art. Thanks for the new perspective.
Thanks, John 🙂
I love street art, although I’m not sure that many of the pieces I’ve seen will be hanging around in 6,000 years to come! The closest I’ve come to this kind of stuff was in the Australian outback, where there is some pretty old stuff. Where I am in France I am near to some of the oldest cave paintings known to man – I must pop along for a visit!
Things do seem to be a bit more transitory these days, don’t they? would love to see more of the aboriginal art in Australia’s red centre.
We saw similar ancient stone carvings in Wadi Rum, Jordan – like the pregnant moose, some of them were so interesting.
Cool. Looking forward to Wadi Rum, then.
Ha, I love the comparison of petroglyphs to street art! Personally, I think they’re both so beautiful and fascinating.
I do, too. Old and new, both fascinating. But perhaps the old just a bit more.
wow, this is incredible! We’ve seen some great street art- especially loved the old cigar buildings in Aspen.
have to check out the cigars in Aspen then 🙂
I’ve considered going to Alta just to see these drawings. They’re really fascinating.
Apart from the petroglyphs, Finnmark county has heaps of fascinating things to see – there’s North Cape, the city of Hammerfest, and Kirkenes by the Russian border, lots of interesting traces of WWII – and so much more.
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The oldest street art I’ve come across dates back a couple of decades I guess.. These are wonderful: timeless and fascinating indeed!
Thanks, Angela 🙂
I also have been there, and these drawings are really breathtaking. I really like this kind of primitive art (I wouldn’t call it so, but that’s how it’s been called), there is so much expression in these kind of graphics.
Even though expressed quite simply, they do say a lot.
Not what I think of when I hear ‘street art,’ but I guess this really is the original form of street art.
I think so.
What a wonderful place to visit… and your final photo is priceless!
Thanks, Andrew. Loved those kids.
I like the way you refer to this as street art… I was just having a conversation about this with someone the other day how creating public art wherever one felt like it was totally acceptable in ancient times. I saw some rock carvings in Namibia. They are believed to be about 10,000 years old!
I’ve heard of the ones in Namibia, but haven’t seen them yet. Sounds so interesting. Next time…
I loved this article. Thanks for sharing this little-known (at least here, at the other side of the pond) museum and wonderful art.
Thanks, Ana. You’re probably right it’s little-known in much of the world :).
I have never encountered street art as old as those. However, I would definitely be thrilled if I get to see those in person.
The original street art…
Glad to learn about this – I had no idea it existed and so far north.
Thanks, David. Can’t get much further north in the world than this…
Really clever title for this post! Really drew me in 🙂
Thanks, Adam 🙂
Anne-Sophie, you definitely should join “Capture the colour” contest.
http://www.shorttraveltips.com/capture-the-colour/
I think you have enough pictures to enter it.
Thanks, Vi. I’ll have a look.
Those children are so rosie-cheeked. 🙂 As for the ancient street art – well, modern street art always occupies a chunk of our time when we come across it and this ancient street art is so vivid and depicts such meaningful stories. Would LOVE to see it in real life!
Julia
This time of year is fab in the Arctic. Just sayin’.. 🙂
Sophie, this is one of the coolest things I’ve ever read about! I’d love to see this for myself.
And I love that picture of the kids, so cute. 🙂
Thanks, Cheryl 🙂
Petroglyphs are so interesting, and these ones are so well preserved, it is amazing! I would love to see them in person, although I don’t know if I want to travel to that cold of a climate. When I was on the Big Island of Hawaii I went and saw some of the petroglyphs that the original islanders made and they were so cool. Looks like the kids with you weren’t quite as impressed as we are. Haha!
Thanks for reading, Katie. Definitely a different climate than Hawaii 🙂