Tanum, Swedish Rock Art

The Bronze Age petroglyphs at Tanum in Sweden have been copied onto synetetic rock (Italian Cardoso stone) by Studio Sem Scultori Associati Sri. Viking Cruise lines have several panels of the rock art on display in the stairways of the Viking Sun cruise ship. The date for the Tanum rock art site is approximately 1700 BC – 500 BC.


Petroglyphs with designs shown in red. One interpretation is that this is a sun disk with rays shown as forked sun beams. The two figures holding the sun are suggested to represent women or female spirit beings.



Petroglyphs with designs shown in red. Scale is 50 cm.



Petroglyphs with designs shown in red of two ships.



Petroglyphs outlined in red pigment showing a ship with dancing figures.



Petroglyphs outlined in red pigment showing warriors mounted on horses from the specific site of Tegneby.



Petroglyphs outlined in red pigment with ships, cupples and animals.



Petroglyphs outlined in red pigment showing a two ships with fight ers using spears.



Petroglyphs outlined in red pigment showing atwo warriors with spears.



Petroglyphs outlined in red pigment showing three ships. The interpretive sign at the site identifies this as 6 crotching figures including one that sounds a lurhorn. A single male figure stands and brandishes an axe.


Webpage constructed 6 January 2019.