Recent archaeological surveys in Ryfylke, with examples from Sandsa, Grasdalen and Forsandmoen

Abstract

In 2015, Rogaland County Council began the most extensive archaeological surveys in the mountain areas of Ryfylke since the development of hydropower came to a halt in the 1980s. This article aims to demonstrate how such pre-development surveys can bring new knowledge to landscape use and exploitation of remote resources. It argues that by overlooking data produced by pre-development surveys, we will lose important knowledge of archaeology and prehistoric societies, particularly in remote areas. This topic is discussed and illustrated by examples from three areas that were included in the recent Ryfylke powerline surveys: Sandsa, Grasdalen and Forsandmoen.