Maarten van Hoek The Geography of Cup-and-Ring ... - StoneWatch

of rings around a central cupule increases. This latter feature is even
more evident at Fitja (Fig. 106), at the two major sites in the eastern
zone of the Etne district
(Vinje and Flote) and perhaps
also at Knarrbyn, Dalsland,
Sweden (Fig. 109).
* 1.5.3.2.4.2 Based on
the observations and evidence
from the British Isles, I would
like to suggest the Helgaberg
site to have been a very
ancient cult centre, used for
many centuries, perhaps
FIG. 109: KNARRBYN, SWEDEN. thousands of years. Possibly
the rituals started with the
execution of just simple cupules that are found scattered all over this
large rock (Fig. 88). Later in the Neolithic, cup-and-ring motifs and
possibly some of the stars were added (Fig. 89). The only petroglyphs
that have a distinct early Bronze Age character are the three, possibly
five, cross-in-circle motifs. These cross-in-circle motifs are
surprisingly faint in respect to their suggested later (Bronze Age)
date. In Fig. 108 one barely can discern such a motif to the left of
the better executed cup-and-three-rings and other cupules. Even in the
historical period the site retained its sacred character as is evidenced
by its name and by presence of nearby Stöle church. This old church, 3
km east of the village and on top of the steep cliff, may have been
deliberately placed near the Helgaberg outcrop in an attempt to
christianise the site or to transform ancient rites into the new belief.
Possibly the course to the church replaced an ancient path or
pilgrimage route to the cult centre.
Also in terms of geographical siting of rock art sites, Stöle is an
interesting site, especially in relation to the changes in the prehistoric
sea level. The site is notably situated on a relatively large plain cut
through by the river Nord (Fig. 105). The western end of that plain is
formed by a steep escarpment, resembling an old sea cliff. This cliff
could well represent a prehistoric coastline. This would make Stöle a
site that once was almost directly situated near the coast. There are a
few similar outcrops further east on this plain, but none of these bears
engravings. The heavy concentration of petroglyphs at Helgaberg
certainly emphasises the importance of that spot. Possibly it indicated
a nearby landing place, where the first migrants once arrived and
where later travellers landed and set off.
* 1.5.3.2.4.3 At many places on this plain are isolated
examples or groups of circular Bronze Age burial sites, whereas
Neolithic burials are absent. This may have been the reason for
M. van HOEK: 137
GEOGRAPHY