In Gjerpen, Skien, you'll find some of Norway's best-preserved Bronze Age rock carvings, also known as petroglyphs. These unique cultural heritage sites offer a fascinating glimpse into our prehistory. Sites like Fossum, Løberg, Wattenberg, Bergheim, Mæla, and Venstøp feature a rich variety of figures, including ships, footprints, animals, and sun symbols.
Tips for Your Visit:
The Fossum Field is one of the oldest and most impressive petroglyph sites in Norway, estimated to be around 2,800 years old. The site is particularly known for its large collection of sun symbols, also called wheel crosses, which form the main motif. These symbols are interpreted as signs of worship and fertility during the Bronze Age.
To preserve this unique location, a viewing ramp has been built, and the field also has light projectors that create a spectacular effect. Note that the field is covered from mid-October to mid-May to prevent damage from ice.
Directions to the Fossum Field:
At the Bergheim Field in Skien, you'll find a varied collection of rock carvings, including ship figures, people, animals, and cup marks. Here you can see a detailed ship figure with a crew holding paddles.
Løberghaugen, another beautiful site in Skien, is estimated to be about 3,000 years old. The field, located on private property, has over 40 well-preserved figures. Here you will find:
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