Skoglund Peter, Ling Johan, Bertilsson Ulf (eds.) North Meets South: Theoretical Aspects on the Northern and Southern Rock Art Traditions in Scandinavia

Oxbow Books, 2017. — 176 p.This latest volume in the Swedish Rock Art series bridges the gap between analysis and interpretation of rock art imagery, location and chronology in the northern and southern regions of Scandinavia. Long viewed as belonging to distinctive regional traditions, there are many underlying similarities, themes and formats in common, overlain by regional complexities and variations. The authors explore new approaches and methods of analysis. There has been a tendency in rock art research to focus merely on either the Northern Tradition or the Southern Tradition of Scandinavian rock art and there is certainly a need to broaden this discussion. Thus, the aim of this collection of new research papers is to stimulate different perspectives and themes that place emphasis on the intersection between these traditions. North meets South puts the focus on Scandinavian rock art regardless of regions and traditions. Even though there are obvious differences in space and time regarding these two traditions, there are also features and formats in common across both time and space, and a significant theme running through the contributions presented here is to highlight the interaction between these rock art traditions. A major conclusion to be drawn from this exercise is the great complexity and variation of rock art and the need for perspectives comparing various regions across Scandinavia. This volume is the outcome of an international symposium organised by the Swedish Rock Art Research Archives (SHFA).Peter Skoglund is a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Gothenburg. His main research interest is Scandinavian Bronze Age material culture, especially regional variations in material culture and the relationship between local material expressions and external influences, with particular reference to monuments, rock-art and trees. His latest research involves the application of new dating evidence for the chronological and geographical framework of rock-art in South and Central Swedenand its social and ritual significance.
Johan Ling is a researcher and lecturer at the Department of Archaeology and Ancient History in Gothenburg. His research interests are primarily in rock art, its chronology and landscapes, particularly the relationship between rock art and shore displacement in Bronze Age Sweden; and in the use lead isotope analyses on bronze items to investigate the possibility of copper extraction Sweden at that time.
Ulf Bertilsson is a Senior Researcher at Department of Archaeolog in University of Gothenburg.