Rock carvings

About

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 rock carvings are best seen when the sun casts long shadows, either early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
• A flashlight can also create a great effect by illuminating the carvings from the side in the dark.

Fossum Field: Norway's Oldest Petroglyphs

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:

• Follow the signs from Hyniveien and onto Jernverksveien.
• There is a small parking area with space for 2-3 cars.
• Please note: The area is not accessible for wheelchair users.

Bergheim Field: Ships, People, and Animals

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: Bronze Age Horses and Ships

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:

• Ships
• Circles and wheel crosses (sun symbols)
• A horse with a rider
• Several other animal figures and footprints

Directions to Løberghaugen

• Follow Håvundveien over Ballestadhøgda.
• Turn off at the Bratsberg intersection and drive Løbergveien across Gjerpensdalen towards Skifjell.
• The field is located on a hill, about 700 meters from the intersection, on the north side of the houses.