The archaeological remains are the sample and vestiges of the evolution of humanity throughout the world. The oldest found in Norway are the remains of a settlement on the island of Magerøy in Finnmark, dating back to about 12000 years ago. The first Norwegian legislation to protect archaeological monuments was passed in 1905. This legislation has been amended several times over the years, in response to changes in society and an improvement in knowledge of the various types of monuments and sites. .
Today, the main objective of the Norwegian government is to protect and safeguard a representative selection of monuments and archaeological sites belonging to different periods and characteristics.
In Norway there are archaeological sites with prehistoric rock art. Scandinavian rock art constitutes an important part of the cultural heritage of humanity.
The Council for the Protection of Cultural Heritage has launched a program to ensure the conservation of Norwegian rock carvings.
In Norway, there are about 90 ruined buildings dating from the Middle Ages. Most correspond to churches, then follow the ruins of convents and monasteries and those of castles and fortresses. The Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage has begun work on the protection of the aforementioned ruins.