Tomskaya Pisanitsa Museum, Open-air museum with ancient rock art in Kemerovo Oblast, Russia
Tomskaya Pisanitsa is an open-air site on the right bank of the Tom River in Kemerovo Oblast, Russia, displaying rock art created between 4000 and 1000 BC. The grounds hold 280 carvings etched into rock surfaces, scattered across several zones along the riverbank.
The rock carvings were found at the start of the 16th century but remained little known for a long time. Scientific exploration by researchers including Stralenberg, Miller and Spasskiy between the 17th and 19th centuries brought the importance of the site to light.
The carvings show elks, bears, foxes and human figures, offering insight into the spiritual beliefs and hunting customs of early Siberian groups. Visitors today can trace how these early inhabitants understood their surroundings and recorded their experiences in lasting images.
The site sits about 50 kilometers northwest of Kemerovo and welcomes visitors six days a week, Wednesday through Sunday. The open grounds can be explored on foot, and sturdy footwear helps on varied terrain.
Beyond the rock images, the grounds feature reconstructions of traditional Shor dwellings and ancient burial sites, providing insight into the way of life of past inhabitants. A 33-meter-tall chapel built using old Russian construction techniques complements the archaeological collection.
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