DURHAM, England — Researchers led by Marta Diaz-Guardamino of Durham University created 3D models of rock art depicting boats found at 12 sites in northwestern Spain and Portugal, according to a statement. Durham University. The team then compared them with similar carvings found in Scandinavia. The researchers noted that all the Iberian images were carved in an area where water was visible in the landscape. They determined that the carvings from both areas have specific design features in common, such as decorative birds and S-shapes, rigging, oars, sail-like figures and sun crosses similar to images found in Nordic solar mythology. The comparison also allowed team members to date the Iberian carvings to between 1300 and 800 BC It is not known whether the Iberian artwork was created by local sailors or travelers. However, studies show that Bronze Age artists shared technologies through long-distance maritime networks. Read the original scholarly article about this research one more. To read about very early rock art in Iberia, visit “paleo palette“
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