Prehistoric Scandinavian rock art displays scenes of warriors and long, narrow boats. Are these figures showing some kind of Bronze Age Vikings?

The world famous ancient petroglyphs in Sweden, dating to the Nordic Bronze Age, portray a world of sword-wielding warriors and their ships. But these figures - holding aloft axes and spears and shields - are usually said to be carrying out rituals, not warfare.

Is that true? Are there any scenes of violence here amongst the thousands of weapon-bearers?

If this is about ritual then what were the rituals for?

And what can all this tell us about the lives of these seaborne Nordic warriors who lived 3500 years ago?