A1 Vertaisarvioitu alkuperäisartikkeli tieteellisessä lehdessä

From Sea to Stone—Depictions of Halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) in Norwegian Prehistoric Rock Art




TekijätMantere, Ville

KustantajaUniversity of Wisconsin

Julkaisuvuosi2026

Lehti: Arctic Anthropology

Vuosikerta60

Numero2

Aloitussivu129

Lopetussivu149

ISSN0066-6939

eISSN1933-8139

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.3368/aa.60.2.129

Julkaisun avoimuus kirjaamishetkelläEi avoimesti saatavilla

Julkaisukanavan avoimuus Ei avoin julkaisukanava

Rinnakkaistallenteen osoitehttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/515725732

Rinnakkaistallennetun julkaisun versioFinal draft


Tiivistelmä

Halibut has historically held notable cultural and symbolic significance for northern coastal communities. Its prominence is also evident in Norwegian prehistoric rock art, indicating a longstanding special relationship between humans and halibut. This study provides an indepth examination of halibut representations in Norwegian hunter-fisher-gatherer rock art, found at 15 sites along the coastline, with most depictions dating from 6800 to 3000 BP. By comparing these depictions with ethnographic data from Norway and North America, this analysis offers valuable insights into early halibut fishing. The study suggests that prehistoric halibut fishing was a prestigious, male-dominated activity intertwined with rituals, taboos, and beliefs concerning luck, fertility, and respect for the halibut. Furthermore, the connection between halibut and cervids in rock art points to a refined observation and profound understanding of species-specific seasonal patterns and their interrelatedness, providing important perspectives for interpreting rock art and prehistoric human-animal and human-environmental relationships in the north.


Ladattava julkaisu

This is an electronic reprint of the original article.
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Julkaisussa olevat rahoitustiedot
This study was made possible by financial support from the Emil Aaltonen Foundation, the Finnish-Norwegian Cultural Foundation, and the Ella and Georg Ehrnrooth Foundation, to whom the author extends sincere gratitude.


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