Nämforsens hällristningar, Stone Age petroglyphs in Näsåker, Sweden.
Nämforsens hällristningar is a collection of around 2300 stone carvings spread along the rapids of Ångermanälven river, showing animals, boats, and human figures. The rock art is carved directly into the stone surfaces and represents the artistic skill and techniques of ancient peoples.
These carvings were created over 6000 years ago during the Stone Age by hunting communities living near the river. The petroglyphs document how people of that era recorded their daily activities and connection to the natural world.
The carvings reveal what mattered to the hunting communities who created them, with elk being the most repeated subject across the rock surfaces. Visitors can observe how these choices reflect the relationship between people and the animals they depended on.
The site sits next to the river rapids, and visitors should go to the museum at Nipvägen 7 in Näsåker for information and guided tours of the carvings. Plan to visit during warmer months and wear sturdy shoes since walking around the rock formations requires careful footing.
The carvings sit directly beside the river rapids where they were originally created, keeping the site in its authentic setting. The rapids remain a striking feature of the landscape today, and understanding their importance helps explain why these ancient artists chose this specific location.
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