Finland - The Carvings from historic time at the island of Gaddtarmen (Hauensuoli) (No longer listed)

"The island of Gaddtarmen (Hauensuoli) off Hango (Hanko) forms a natural harbour on a sailing route in the east-west direction. Sailors have made more than 400 carvings on the rocks while awaiting favourable winds. The oldest drawings date from the 15th and 16th centuries. Most of the carvings decpict coats of arms of Swedish and Finnish gentry. The site is a unique document relating to the history of the Baltic Sea.Hauensuoli (r. Gaddtarmen - "Pike Gut") is a strait between two small islets off Hankoniemi Cape, the southernmost tip of the Finnish mainland. The property is located in the City of Hanko. Owing to land uplift, the strait is now only 10-15 metres wider, but it was originally wider and navigable. The islets are outcrops of granite worn smooth by the continental ice sheet and the action of the Baltic Sea. Throughout history, Hankoniemi Cape has been an important halting place for seafarers in the Gulf of Finland, being already mentioned in the Early Middle Ages in the so¬called Danish Itinerary of sailing routes in the Baltic. The oldest engraved markings at Hauensuoli date from the 15th century and in the following century it was famed for its sheltered harbour and rock drawings, being mentioned in Olaus Magnus's "Historia de gentibus septentrionalibus" (1555) among other works. The site is mentioned by later historians and travellers from the 17th century onwards. The rock drawing area at Hauensuoli encompasses roughly three hectares on the two islands with over 600 drawings, mostly from the 16th and 17th centuries...." Source: UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List

Hangon museum in Gaddtarmen. Thanks to Heidi of Finland.