People living here have since the ice age been close to the Baltic Sea.
The archaeological traces of the coastal inhabitants are all around in the landscape. The geological uplift of the land has been rapid in this part of Sweden. The prehistoric archipelago which was visited by Mesolithic seal hunters is today situated on hill tops 70-80 meters above today's sea level. On smooth rocks along former sounds and bays one can also find Bronze Age carvings showing impressive ships and other figures. The monumental grave cairns from the Bronze Age and the oldest part of Iron Age were often situated so that they overlooked the sea.