The Massleberg 1 rock art (RAÄ-Number: Skee 614:1) are located near Strömstad in Bohuslän, in south-western Sweden, some 80 metres from the Massleberg grave field. On a rock face, several partially overlapping carvings from the Bronze Age can be seen.

One of the Massleberg 1 rock carvings

Surrounded by numerous cup marks, the carvings depict Ithyphallic men, some bearing or raising axes, spears, and shields; Footprints [de]; a lattice pattern; a sun cross; small and large ships; animals (deer and dogs), as well as various other images. Small strokes in the rowing ship symbolise the crew members. The "hook" on the ship image indicates a Lur.

The unusual image of a man carrying a ship is almost exactly the same as the depiction of shipbearer on another rock face in Bohuslän. It might therefore depict an early Nordic myth.

See also

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Bibliography

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  • Mårten Stenberger: Vorgeschichte Schwedens (= Nordische Vorzeit. Vol. 4). Wachholtz, Neumünster 1977, ISBN 3-529-01805-8.
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58°57′33.1″N 11°19′8.4″E / 58.959194°N 11.319000°E / 58.959194; 11.319000