Svarthola

Svarthola, also known as Vistehola, is a cave and archaeological site in Randaberg Municipality, Rogaland county, in southwestern Norway. It is one of the most interesting spots near Stavanger for anyone who wants to see where prehistoric people once lived.

Where is Svarthola?

The cave sits on the Viste farm, about 10 km northwest of Stavanger. It lies close to the shore of Visteviga bay, at the mouth of the Hafrsfjord. That makes it easy to combine with a trip along the Randaberg coast and the area around Stavanger.

What does the cave look like?

It is a small cavern, roughly 9 m deep, 5 m wide and 3 m high. It was probably formed during the last ice age. The name Svarthola comes from the local dialect form "Svartehålå", which reflects how dark and deep the opening looks from a distance. The name Vistehola came into use later, once archaeological finds began to emerge.

Why does it matter to archaeologists?

Numerous Stone Age artifacts have been found in and around the cave. The cultural layer is more than a metre thick and divided into four strata. The oldest belongs to the Early Stone Age, later ones to the Late Stone Age, and the uppermost to the Iron Age. People used the cave from around 6000 BC, on and off, until the Migration Period around 500 AD.

Excavations produced bones, antlers and flint tools, plus the remains of about 50 species of animals and birds. Hunting was central to the diet, and wild boar was the main prey; elk and seal bones were found too. According to Wikipedia, the cave sheltered a group of around 25 people during the Neolithic.

The Viste boy

The best-known find is the skeleton called Vistegutten, "the Viste boy". It was discovered during excavations in 1907 and belonged to a boy of about 15. It is estimated to be around 8,200 years old and is now on display at the Archaeological Museum in Stavanger.

Research history

The cave was investigated in 1907 and 1910, with further work in 1939 and 1941. A Norwegian local-history source says a local resident had already found flint, animal bones and charcoal there in 1900.

Frequently asked questions

Can I see the original finds in the cave? The excavations are finished and the finds went to museums. The Vistegutten skeleton is exhibited at the Archaeological Museum in Stavanger.

How far is it from Stavanger? About 10 km northwest of the city.

How big is the cave? About 9 m deep, 5 m wide and 3 m high: a small cavern, not an extensive cave system.

What period do the traces of human use cover? From around 6000 BC to the Migration Period, around 500 AD.

What is the site called? Both names are used: Svarthola and Vistehola.

Who is it for?

Svarthola suits archaeology and Scandinavian history enthusiasts, and anyone exploring the Rogaland coast. Pair the visit with the Archaeological Museum in Stavanger, where finds from this site, including the Viste boy, are displayed. The cave shows that the shore by the Hafrsfjord was inhabited for thousands of years by people living off hunting and what the sea and forest provided.