Ulmekärr is a destination with two clearly distinct aspects: a varied landscape of rocky terrain and valleys, and archaeological remains of different kinds. The area is strategically located at an old crossroads. Local remains include a stone-paved labyrinth, rock carvings, a hillfort, a stone setting and traces of a small quarrying area. If you are weighing landscape against culture when choosing a destination, you will find several clearly distinct highlights here.
Rocky Heights and Wooded Hollows
The landscape of Ulmekärr is mainly characterized by elevated, rocky terrain with exposed bedrock. Several larger and smaller valley depressions run through the area. Sparse low trees and heather grow on the higher rocky surfaces, while the lower hollows are densely forested. Lower-lying farmland and meadows are found in the southeast and along the westernmost edge.
The variation in elevation helps put the different landscape features into perspective: rocky areas, wooded hollows, and lower-lying farmland and meadows form distinct parts of the same area. Ulmekärr therefore cannot be reduced to a single landscape type. If you pay attention to terrain and vegetation when choosing a destination, this variety is a useful distinguishing feature.
The Labyrinth and Archaeological Remains
The stone-paved labyrinth near Ulmekärr is of unknown age; a prehistoric date is considered likely. At the same time, it is regarded as the best-preserved labyrinth in Bohuslän. These cautious statements about its date and its preservation address two different questions: its age remains uncertain, while its state of preservation is notable by regional comparison. The labyrinth is located on the road to Havstenssund.
There is also a hillfort at Ulmekärr. The stone setting KUL No. 9 is classified as an archaeological monument. These remains complement the labyrinth with other forms of archaeological heritage, though they are not all of the same type or classification.
The Tanum 1916 and Tanum 1917 Rock Carvings
The motifs and terrain help distinguish the two rock-carving sites, Tanum 1916 and Tanum 1917. The Tanum 1916 rock carving near Ulmekärr includes three ships and several cup marks. The ships suggest a date in Period IV of the Bronze Age.
The Tanum 1917 site includes at least two to three cup marks and is situated on a rock surface on a slope that descends to the southwest. By comparison, the ships and cautious dating are the main features of Tanum 1916, while the number of cup marks and the precise terrain setting characterize Tanum 1917. This also keeps the chronological interpretation tied to the evidence that supports it.
Traces of the Quarrying Area
The small-scale industrial area KUL No. 1701:18 includes a small quarrying area (Tanum 1957) with spoil heaps, traces of cranes and paths. These features distinguish the area from the rock carvings and the stone setting: here, the focus is on the heaps, crane traces and paths. The small-scale industrial area KUL No. 18 has significant educational and cultural-historical value. Together, the landscape, archaeological remains and quarry traces give Ulmekärr a varied profile to consider when choosing a destination.
For an overview of the wider area: Grebbestad.
