Karelian scientists are preparing for a comprehensive observation of the Onega and Belomorsk petroglyphs. The Neolithic rock art sites have been part of the UNESCO World Heritage List since last year. Field work will begin in the summer of 2022, according to the website of the Project Office for Arctic Development.

4,500 petroglyphs have been found at the landmarks' locations. Nadezhda Lobanova, a senior researcher at the Institute of Language, Literature and History of the Karelian Research Centre under the Russian Academy of Sciences, made a great contribution to their study.

The aim is to monitor the anthropogenic load and the preservation of rock art. The experts will assess the impact of hydrometeorological conditions on the landmarks and study the state of the natural landscape in the area.

"Specialists in archaeology, geology, hydrology, soil science, botany, landscape science and others will all get involved. The research fleet of the KarRC at RAS will be part of the project as well. Our task is to enable regular planned monitoring for years to come," said Olga Bakhmet, general director of the institution.

Among other insights, the work will yield scientific material for the report to a specialised agency at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).