Petroglyphs are rock carvings made by ancient man. The age of petroglyphs in Karelia dates back to so-called New Stone Age – Neolithic age which in the north dates from the 4th millennium B. C. Petroglyps in Karelia were cut out only in two sites: on the capes and isles of Onega Lake and on the coasts of the river Vyg, not far from its flowing into the White Sea.

White Sea petroglyphs include more than 2000 images. They were found out in 1926.

The first petroglyths to open were so called “Demon traces”. They were called in such a way by analogy with images on the cape called Demon nose. According to scientists, they are the most ancient stone images in Karelia.

There are many expressive scenes of elk, bear and whale hunting, ritual and war actions, image of the boat with dozens of oarsmen. One can see here the oldest in Europe figure of skiing man, the bird hunter with boomerang. Scientists have found more than 70 ancient sites of long and short duration next to the White Sea rock art. The unique grave with masonry and lots of amber adornments and flint arrow points have been excavated. Durations, groups of petroglyphs with it's surroundings form a unique archeological complex. The tourist route "Belomorskie petroglyphs" goes through it's territory.

Onega petroglyths, a large site of rock paintings on the east coast of Onega Lake, was found out in 1848. By 1973 18 autonomous groups of images were elicited spreading 20 km on the capes (Devil nose, Peri nose, etc.) and isles (to the south of the river Vodla). The total number of figures and signs is about 200 which were left by hunting and fishing tribes of the Neolithic and early Aeneolithic age (approximately 3rd – early 2nd millennium B.C.). Most likely, petroglyths include images of birds and people, as well as scenes of hunting and solar signs. Up till now scientists find out new rock paintings on the Onega coasts.

Sources:

Newspaper "News of Karelia"

Tourism portal Karelia

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