In September 2005, a joint expedition of Karelian and British archaeologists (Institute of Language, Literature and History of KarSC RAS and Cambridge University), who studied the White Sea petroglyphs (Fig. 1) and their connection with the microlandscape, made a very unexpected discovery: on Staraya Zalavruga, one of the most famous and well-documented groups of rock monuments in Karelia, many new shapes were discovered. New materials not only more than double the number of engravings on this rock, but also significantly change the generally accepted ideas of researchers about the genesis of the ancient rock art of the White Sea region. We have identified some scenes, one of which was previously unknown among the petroglyphs of Karelia. The discovery took place as a result of applying a new method of searching for petroglyphs, which we borrowed from our Norwegian colleagues. It is very simple: a large sheet of black light-proof polyethylene (at least 4*5 m in size) covers a section of the rock surface. The researcher, being under the film, slightly lifts one of its edges (preferably the one that is located above the upper part of the rock). The amount and direction of light entering the resulting opening is adjusted depending on the degree of slope of the rock and the height of the film rise, while the ancient knockouts become relief and clearly visible. The best option is to direct the light beam from top to bottom, if the rock has at least a slight slope. This method is widely practiced in Scandinavia. Good results are obtained when photographing petroglyphs under a plastic wrap. With its help, we have so far explored the rocks of Staraya Zalavruga, separate sections of Novaya Zalavruga and three small nameless islands, where we also managed to notice new figures. Most likely, they can also be found on heavily eroded rock surfaces of Novaya Zalavruga (groups I, VIII, XI, XV, and XVII). Petroglyphs of Staraya Zalavruga were discovered by the expedition of V. I. Ra ... Read more