Näe ja koe GEOKOHTEET Astuvansalmi rock paintings

Experience prehistoric rock paintings

The Astuvansalmi rock paintings are timed with the help of the Saimaa’s shoreline displacement history. During the period 7,000-5,700 years ago, the water level in the Astuvansalmi area was 86-86.5 m asl, which is about 10-10.5 m above the current level of Lake Saimaa. Rock paintings are thus less than 5,700 years old. It is possible that the highest paintings were made almost immediately after the birth of the River Vuoksi (the water level decreased about 3 m when the Vuoksi broke through the sandy part of the First Salpausselkä) and the lowest two thousand years later.

Astuvansalmi rock paintings were accepted as part of the Cultural Route of the Council of Europe Prehistoric Rock Art Trails in 2019. Astuvansalmi is the first Finnish destination on this cultural route.

The Rock Art Center Astuva, which focuses on rock art, is planned to be established in the future on the premises of the Ristiina Military School. Prior to the completion of the actual center, the Astuva service point will be open in Kallioniemi.

Images: Arto Hämäläinen, Veikka Liljeström