Alta Rock Art – Bergbukten 4B

Summary: One of the largest panels with Stone Age rock art in northern Europe. Bergbukten 4B has over 140 figures and depicts multiple hunting scenes.

  • Site type: Rock engraving, Rock engraving - intaglio
  • Number of motifs: 144
  • Motif/s: Elk, Fish, Man, Reindeer
  • Quality: 5/5
  • Condition of site: Good
  • View site sketch
  • Year first recorded: 1973
  • Jan Magne Gjerde (2019) ‘The world as we know it’ – revisiting the rock art at Bergbukten 4B in Alta, northern Norway, in Time and Mind, 12:3, 197-206

Another large panel located along the Alta Rock Art walkway, Bergbukten 4B lies 22 to 24 metres above the current sea level. The carvings were made between 6000 and 7000 years ago.

MG 7343 LR Alta Rock Art – Bergbukten 4B

The large panel displays hunting scenes on from both land and sea, with bow and arrow.

MG 7346 LR Alta Rock Art – Bergbukten 4B
MG 7348 LR Alta Rock Art – Bergbukten 4B

Most prominent are large herds of reindeer, but elks are also found here, as well as two scenes displaying rituals featuring elk-head staves and hunters.

MG 7344 LR Alta Rock Art – Bergbukten 4B

Furthest to the north on this panel, the longest rock art fishing-line in Alta connects a small boat and a huge halibut.

With more than 200 figures this is one of the largest panels with Stone Age rock art in northern Europe. The panel holds several scenes, compositions and narratives. 

Engraving Alta Bergbukten 4B Alta Rock Art – Bergbukten 4B
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