Location: 12 km from Belomorsk Map
The Belomorsk petroglyphs (also known as the Zalavruga or Belomorye petroglyphs) are one of the largest and most significant archaeological complexes of rock art in Northern Europe, representing a monument of prehistoric art from the Neolithic era. They are located in the Belomorsk District of the Republic of Karelia, Russia, on islands and cliffs in the lower reaches of the Vyg River, approximately 6–8 km from its mouth in the White Sea, near the town of Belomorsk and the village of Vygostrov. The complex includes over 2,000 individual images carved into granite cliffs and dates back to the 4th–3rd millennia BC (approximately 5,000–6,000 years ago). In 2021, the Belomorsk petroglyphs, along with the Onega petroglyphs, were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as "Petroglyphs of Lake Onega and the White Sea," highlighting their uniqueness as evidence of an ancient hunter-gatherer culture.
The first petroglyphs in this area were discovered in 1926 by writer and amateur archaeologist Alexander Linevsky during an expedition. He found a group of images known as "Besovy sledki" (the name refers to folklore about demonic footprints on stone). In the 1930s, ethnographer Vladimir Ravdonikas continued the research, discovering the main clusters at Zalavruga. Full-scale excavations and documentation were conducted in the 1960s under the direction of Yuri Savvateyev, who compiled detailed maps and descriptions. The overall complex was formed from scattered finds and today includes approximately 30 groups of images scattered over an area of approximately 20 square kilometers. Research continues: scientists use modern methods, such as 3D scanning, to preserve and analyze the petroglyphs, which are subject to erosion due to weather conditions and tides.
The petroglyphs are located on the northwestern coast of the White
Sea, at the mouth of the Vyg River, surrounded by taiga forests and
rocky islands. The main groups are located on the islands of
Shoyrukshin, Erpin Pudas, Zalavruga, and others, 14-18 km from
Belomorsk. Getting there:
By car or bus: From Belomorsk, take the
R-21 "Kola" highway to the turnoff for Vygostrov (approximately 10 km),
then walk or bike along a forest road (2-4 km to the main groups). In
dry weather, access is possible by SUV.
By water: By boat or
motorboat on the Vyg River, especially during high tide, when the rocks
are partially submerged.
Excursions: Organized tours from Belomorsk
or Petrozavodsk (approximately 300 km), often with a guide. Cost: from
1,500 rubles per person. The best time to visit is summer (June–August),
when the water level is low and the petroglyphs are most visible. Access
is difficult in winter due to snow. The area is equipped with paths,
footbridges, and informational signs for tourists.
Petroglyphs are carvings (punched) into smooth granite surfaces, 1–2
mm deep, created with stone tools. They are scattered in groups, often
on horizontal or gently sloping cliffs near water. The main themes are
daily life, hunting, rituals, and mythology of the ancient inhabitants
of the region, the ancestors of the Sami and Finno-Ugrians.
Main
Groups:
Demon's Footprints: The most famous, it includes a "demons"
(an anthropomorphic creature with horns and a tail) and footprints.
There are approximately 50 images, including boats and animals.
Zalavruga (Old and New): The largest cluster, with over 1,500 figures.
New Zalavruga features scenes of moose hunting, groups of people on
skis, and boats with crews. Old Zalavruga features more archaic images.
Erpin Pudas: About 400 images, including scenes of fishing and sea
hunting.
Others: Shoyrukshin, Old and New Zolotoets, with fewer
figures.
Themes and Subjects:
Animals: Elk, deer, bears, birds
(swans, ducks), and marine mammals (beluga whales, whales) predominate.
For example, a scene of a beluga whale hunt with harpoons is one of the
most detailed.
People: Anthropomorphic figures in dynamic
poses—hunters with bows, spears, or on skis. A group of "skiers" is
known—three figures on skis, possibly symbolizing a ritual or migration.
Boats and Transport: Many images of boats with 5–20 rowers, sometimes
with sails or animal heads on the bow, reflecting a maritime culture.
Abstract and ritual: Solar and lunar symbols, geometric patterns,
scenes, possibly from shamanic rituals (figures with raised arms).
The images are often grouped into compositions that tell "stories"—from
preparation for a hunt to triumph. The petroglyphs are not painted, but
their natural patina makes them visible; they are more visible in rain
or low sunlight.
The Belomorsk petroglyphs are a valuable source of information about the lives of Neolithic tribes: their economy (hunting, fishing), technology (skis, boats), and worldview (animism, shamanism). They reflect the transition from the Paleolithic to the Neolithic, when people colonized northern territories after the retreat of the glaciers. Scientists interpret them as ritual sites, possibly for fertility or hunting rites. They have been compared to petroglyphs in Scandinavia and Siberia. The complex is protected by the state, but is threatened by vandalism and climate change; conservation work is underway.
Opening Hours: Year-round, but mainly accessible in summer. Admission
is free or with a museum ticket (approximately 200 rubles).
Museum:
Belomorsk has a petroglyph museum with replicas and exhibits. Tips: Wear
comfortable shoes and bring mosquito repellent. Avoid touching the
petroglyphs to avoid damage. Tours last 1–2 hours; a full tour takes a
day.
The White Sea petroglyphs are not only an archaeological
site but also a window into the ancient world, attracting tourists,
scholars, and history buffs. It is recommended to visit in a group for a
full interpretation of the symbols.