| Svarthola | |
|---|---|
| Vistehola / Vistehulen | |
 View of the cave entrance | |
  location in Norway Show map of Rogaland Svarthola (Norway) Show map of Norway | |
| Location | Rogaland, Norway |
| Coordinates | 58°59′14″N05°35′49″E / 58.98722°N 5.59694°E /58.98722; 5.59694 |
| Depth | 9 m (30 ft) |
| Length | 5 m (16 ft) |
| Height variation | 3 m (9.8 ft) |
| Elevation | 16 m (52 ft) |
Svarthola orVistehola is acave and an archaeological site, located inRandaberg municipality inRogaland county,Norway. The 9 m (30 ft) deep cavern is located on theViste farm, about 10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of the city ofStavanger, situated near the shore of theVisteviga bay, at the mouth of theHafrsfjorden. The site has yielded numerousNeolithic artifacts that have been excavated and discovered in and around the cave.[1]
The location served as a shelter for a group of about 25 people during theNeolithic since around 6,000 BCE. These people were mainlyhunter-gatherers, who adopted a sedentary lifestyle based onagriculture around 4,000 BCE. The occupants of Vistehola engaged in hunting to maintain a diet, that largely consisted ofwild boar.Faunal remains ofmoose andseal were also found. Since around 2,000 BCE, their major form of sustenance had shifted towards farming.
The site was first studied in 1907 and 1910, and again in 1939 and 1941. The discovered material is remarkably well preserved and provides comprehensive information on the prehistoric inhabitant's living conditions from between 8,000 and 6,000 years ago. Cultural layers were divided into four distinct strata, that correspond with the localMesolithic andNeolithic era and the most recent sediment layer has been associated with theIron Age. The greater discovery group includes hunting and fishing implements made of stone, antlers and bone as well as residue of shells and ornamental items.
The cave houses an inhabited area of approximately 100 m2 (1,100 sq ft) and is located about 250 m (820 ft) north of today's shoreline. Excavation of the site revealed implement waste and also traces of funerals. At the east wall of the cave a skeleton of a juvenile boy (around 15 year old) was found who lived about 7,500 years ago. It represents one of the earliest known human remains in Norway.[2][3]
