One of the highest concentrations of archaeological sites in the Nordic countries is at Ceavccageađge (Mortensnes in Norwegian) in Varanger. Ten thousand years as a meeting place for hunters, fishermen and traders have left traces of settlements in the landscape, some monumental but many often small and easily overlooked. A cairn is not always just a cairn.
Vadsø is located on the edge of the Arctic Ocean on the Barents Sea (Norwegian: Barentshavet), which was named after the Dutch navigator Willem Barents. Vadsø is a gateway to Varangerhalvøya National Park, whose wild expanses are unparalleled. We took accommodation right on the sea access in Annijoki at the Varangerfjord close to Vadsø and were the only guests in the house at this time of year (May). The Barents adventure began as soon as we checked into the locked house, because there was no staff and the situation was only clarified when we called the owner.
