Among the rocks and lakes of Karelia, ancient petroglyphs are preserved – drawings dating back 5-7 thousand years. These are mysterious messages from Stone Age people, the meaning of which is still unanswered. In 2021, they were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The main drawing groups are located on the eastern shore of Lake Onega and near the White Sea. Here you can see hunting scenes, boats, animals and symbols associated with ancient rituals. Scientists believe that these locations were not chosen by chance – the rocks, water and sky created a special atmosphere.
Research into petroglyphs began in the 20th century and today they are studied using laser scanning and 3D modeling. However, the rocks are affected by time, moss and tourists, so they must be constantly monitored.
Petroglyphs are a wordless language, humanity's first steps in art and the desire to leave a mark in history.
