New Cave Paintings Hidden Under Moss For 5,000 Years Have Been Discovered In Finland.

On the rocky shores of Lake Jovesi in Ristiina, a moose, painted in red ocher about five thousand years ago, stands motionless. This figure is part of the largest collection of rock art in Northern Europe, the Astuvansalmi paintings. Modern technology has allowed researchers to reveal that many more images are hidden under layers of time, moss and weathered stone.

Visualization of the past

Until recently, archaeologists knew of about 80 drawings on Astuvansalmi. New project led by the School of Computer Science University of Eastern Finlandsignificantly expands observation capabilities.

“We have just started, but we have already identified three potential new figures. We are using visualization technology that simply did not exist just a few years ago,” says project coordinator Veikko Miettinen.

The team uses hyperspectral cameras that can detect subtle variations in red pigments and determine their chemical composition.

“We can separate different shades and understand how many mixtures ancient artists used. The technology turns complex calculations into a tool for archaeology,” explains Miettinen.

Digital twin of the rock

Several technologies are used to accurately capture Astuvansalmi’s drawings. GigaPan panoramic images and Matterport 3D scanning create a detailed model, while a three-camera system on an extendable boom collects surface data. All images are uploaded to the cloud, forming a digital copy of the rock.

“Previously, cameras could only record three colors, now hyperspectral cameras record hundreds of wavelengths,” says 3D modeling specialist Rami Saarikorpi.

Using 3D Gaussian spatter imaging technology, an accurate model can be built and the position of each pigment trace can be determined.

Recreating an ancient landscape

Using game engines, researchers are recreating the water level in the Saimaa lake system, which was significantly higher five thousand years ago.

“By raising the surface of the water to its ancient level, we can see where the artists might have been – in boats or on the ice – and predict new locations for the paintings,” explains Miettinen.

Similar methods have already helped to study Finnish monuments in Värikallio and Saraakallio, which gives hope for finding previously unknown images.

Artificial Intelligence in Archeology

Artificial intelligence is involved in the project. Dmitry Semenov from the University of Eastern Finland trains neural networks to recognize repeating shapes on stones.

“Machine learning allows us to identify patterns and perhaps distinguish between the ‘handwriting’ of different artists,” he says.

Scientists note that technology provides an invaluable tool for analyzing and comparing motifs with other ancient monumentsincluding Alta in Norway and Murmansk in Russia.

Erosion, wind and water threaten these designs.

“Digitization preserves images for future generations and makes them accessible not only to those who can personally visit the rock,” Semyonov emphasizes.

Virtual restoration opens up access to museum audiences around the world. At the Murmansk Regional Museum of Local Lore, visitors are already exploring the underwater world using VR headsets, leaving digital “handprints” – as ancient artists once did on stones.

For thousands of years, people have left their marks on rocks – from the elk of Finnish hunter-gatherers to carvings on the shores of the White Sea. Each image speaks of faith, identity and connection to nature.

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