Swans, an elk and the secrets of the Onega demon: guests at the National Centre RUSSIA discover the history of the ancient petroglyphs of Karelia and the White Sea region

The White Sea and Lake Onega sites were the first Russian examples of ancient cave images, rock paintings and petroglyphs to be included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Yelena Levanova, Candidate of Historical Sciences, Head of the Centre for Palaeoart at the Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Associate Professor at the Yu. V. Knorozov Mesoamerican Centre of the Russian State University for the Humanities and lecturer for the "Drobyshevsky Projects" science popularisation movement, discussed them at the National Centre RUSSIA. The meeting with the expert was held as part of the "Conversations with Stanislav Drobyshevsky" project.

Yelena Levanova noted that these images, which are known far beyond Russia and were the first of their kind in the country to be included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, are remarkable not only for their age but also for their expressiveness, while their style is closely related to the traditions of Northern Europe.

"We know of numerous images on the eastern shore of Lake Onega. The White Sea petroglyphs are located near Belomorsk, on the Vyg River. They are highly distinctive. They depict swans, various solar and lunar symbols, boats and hunting scenes. This tradition is very closely related to that of Scandinavia. Similar sites can be found in the Murmansk Region, Norway and Sweden. The tradition therefore covers a fairly extensive geographical area," Yelena Levanova explained.

The expert devoted particular attention to the unique site at Cape Besov Nos on Lake Onega. It is known not only for its ancient images but also for its highly dramatic history: researchers believe that the site’s most famous petroglyph was "neutralised" by local monks.  

Photo: Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

"Of all the images at Besov Nos, the best known include an otter, a catfish and an elk, but the most famous is, of course, the enormous demon. This petroglyph lies within a fissure and is overlaid with an image of a cross, apparently carved by monks from the Murom Monastery in the 16th or 17th century to protect themselves from such an evil figure. Most interestingly, archaeologists know for certain that there are further images beneath the figure of the demon, concealed by it," the expert added.

Yelena Levanova also noted that swans are rightly considered the hallmark of the Lake Onega petroglyphs, with some measuring several metres in length. Their long necks, elegant lines and sense of flight make these figures true masterpieces of prehistoric art. Asked how scientists had managed to date the ancient images so accurately, the expert explained that the key factor was not only the petroglyphs themselves but also the archaeological layers, which allowed researchers to associate them with a specific prehistoric culture.

"Why do we have such a clear understanding of their dates? Because numerous expeditions have worked in this area since the sites were first discovered. They uncovered many Neolithic sites directly associated with the petroglyphs. These sites existed during the very period when the rocks were exposed and available for carving. The rocks emerged from beneath the water around the fifth millennium BC, while a transgression of the lake began at the end of the fourth millennium BC, submerging them completely for approximately 300 years or even longer. The petroglyphs are therefore believed to have been carved by people belonging to the so-called Pit-Comb Ware culture," Yelena Levanova concluded.

"Conversations with Stanislav Drobyshevsky" is an original educational project of the National Centre RUSSIA hosted by Russian anthropologist Stanislav Drobyshevsky. Through informal conversations, experts introduce audiences to Russia’s unique historical and anthropological legacy and share the latest discoveries in the field.