Encarved stone found in Bornholm might be a Stone Age map

Archaeology students discovered a mysterious stone covered with engravings, while working at a Neolithic shrine site at Vasagård, South Bornholm. The experts believe the find may be a 5000 year old map.

Stone with engravings (by Live Science)
Stone with engravings (by Live Science)
Round stone with markings (by Live Science)
Round stone with markings (by Live Science)

Researchers from the National Museum of Denmark believe that the marks on the stone reflect topographic details of the part of the island. The find is dated to between 2900-2700 BC, so the depiction might show the natural environment of the island from nearly 5000 years ago. Archaeologists state that the depiction might be a map showing different kinds of fields at some area. The stone is broken into two pieces, and as yet one piece is still missing.

Stone with marks (by Live Science)
Stone with marks (by Live Science)
Possible ancient stone map (by Live Science)
Possible ancient stone map (by Live Science)

In recent years excavations at the site provided several such carved stones, filled with patterns of rows of lines. It was believed that these previous findings contain depictions showing the sun and the sun’s rays. The experts believe that such stones were used in Stone Age rituals.

Excavation at the site (by Live Science)
Excavation at the site (by Live Science)
A collection of engraved stones (by Live Science)
A collection of engraved stones (by Live Science)

(after CPH Post Online)

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