Petroglyphs are rock carvings made by the ancient man and exceptionally valuable evidence of the remote past coming to us from the Neolithic Age. The age of Karelian Petroglyphs is estimated at 6 thousand years.
Onego Lake Petroglyphs assemble is located on the Besov Nos (Demon's Cape, Map: SE) of the eastern shore of Onego Lake. Local inhabitants attributed rock art to the activity of the "evil spirit". This resulted in the name of the area, Besov Nos (Demon's Cape) and in later attempts to neutralize the "devilish pictures" by carving Christian crosses on the figures of the demon and a swan, probably dated back to 15-th century.
White Sea (Belomorskie) Petroglyphs assemble is located close to the town of Belomorsk (Map: NE).

What do Petroglyphs really mean?
There are a lot of theories trying to explain what prehistoric people wanted to express with these signs. Sometimes it seems clear, when the attributes of real life are shown: animals, birds, boats, humans. Hunting scenes could be explained as a demonstration of "hunting magic". Onego Lake Petroglyphs in contrast to realistic White Sea Petroglyphs are more symbolic and fantastic. They depict the sun and the moon, enigmatic signs and imaginary creatures. The ideas of prehistoric people about the world around are conveyed in some pictures, for example, the sign of the moon has legs, because the moon "goes" over the sky. Some Petroglyphs have no good explanation, so everyone can put forward one's own theory.

Transport:
White Sea Petroglyphs - car or bus to Vygostrov village (half way between Belomorsk town and M18 road), then a forest trail goes to the Petroglyphs site (about 2 km).
Onego Lake Petroglyphs - boat from Petrozavodsk to Shala settlement, then boat or hiking to the Petroglyphs site.

The White Sea Petroglyphs

Onego Lake Petroglyphs