Study of Footprint Rock Carvings
A recent study published in the Oxford Journal of Archaeology by Fredrik Fahlander of Stockholm University examines rock carvings known as podomorphs from the Scandinavian Bronze Age. These footprints are the most common motif in rock art, making up over 90% of all recorded carvings. They mimic real footprints linked to specific people and were typically placed to interact with water.
Scandinavian Bronze Age rock art features six main motifs. According to Fahlander, the simple footprint is the most widespread, and its uniqueness comes from various details like cross-straps with notches. He added that podomorphs replicate the impression of a real foot or shoe on a soft surface, such as sand, clay, or snow. Each podomorph is unique, and most appear alone or in asymmetrical pairs, where two marks side by side usually differ in size, shape, and detail level.
A key feature of these carvings is that they do not indicate movement, unlike animal tracks from the Neolithic tradition of northern Fennoscandia. Archaeologists have found that these footprints appear exclusively on exposed bedrock, not on bronze objects or in burials. Fahlander emphasizes that
“Bronze Age podomorphs are generally linked to specific individuals”(Fredrik Fahlander), and the concept of footprints was likely used for multiple purposes within the Bronze Age worldview.
Burials and Rituals
Additionally, archaeologists discovered burials near Nyköping in eastern Sweden, dating back around 1500 years. These graves contained multicolored glass beads, cremation urns, and burned human remains. During the Iron Age, cremation became the dominant burial practice in the Scandinavian world. The deceased were placed on funeral pyres with personal belongings, jewelry, and household items, sometimes even animals like horses or dogs. After cremation, the ashes and charred bones were buried under protective stone coverings, with some remains placed in ceramic urns.
Fahlander notes that
“the care and energy invested in this practice show the importance of materializing personal imprints in stone”(Fredrik Fahlander), highlighting the significance of these rock carvings in the Bronze Age cultural context.
The study of podomorphs opens new avenues for understanding the social and cultural structure of the Bronze Age in Scandinavia, as these rock carvings may reflect individuality and self-expression of people from that era. Examining such artifacts also underscores the importance of rituals and burial practices that mirror the worldview of societies in what is now Sweden. This information could become a key element in studying Scandinavian history and culture.
In addition to the fascinating findings of Bronze Age podomorphs, recent discoveries in Sweden have shed light on ancient burial practices. Archaeologists uncovered a significant site with numerous graves adorned with valuable artifacts, emphasizing the cultural richness of the era. To explore these remarkable archaeological insights and understand the broader context of burial customs in ancient Scandinavia, read more about the recent grave discoveries in Sweden.