Land uplift has completely changed the landscape north of Lake Mälaren. In the Bronze Age, about 3000 years ago, what is now arable land was largely covered by water, and higher-lying land stuck up like small islands. It was an archipelago landscape.
Bronze Age people carved a multitude of images and symbols into the flat rocky outcrops by the water. Today, these rocks are found far inland, but are still as fascinating to look at as they must have been to the many generations who worked to create them. Some figures are completely incomprehensible to us, others are obvious.
The Firewood Ship is a four meter long boat with six oarsmen and poles decorated with animal heads with big ears. The whole boat is supported by a human figure kneeling under the weight. At the time, the image was carved into the water's edge, now a jetty, so you can view the carving from much the same point of view as if you were in a boat on the water.
A forest walk of about ten minutes takes you to the rock carving. There are those who consider this one of Uppland's most beautiful forests, so this is a trip with many high-lights!
Want to see more Bronze Age rock carvings? Visit the Hemsta hagar, Stora Rickebyhällen and Björksta Bronze Age landscape.
