Dating back 10 000 years, Finland's oldest site of human settlement is located in Suomussalmi. At Värikallio in Hossa Hiking Area, the oldest rock paintings in Northern Finland, dating back to 1500-2500 BC, can be seen. The location of Suomussalmi water course has ensured the municipality's colourful history.

The Värikallio painting was discovered in 1977. Leena Mäkelä and Juhani Rossi were on an early spring skiing trip when they noted the red color and the clearly discernible figures on the cliff wall. Värikallio is visible from the nearby Mieskallionvaara hill as a shining, light-colored rock wall. Approaching the cliff one first becomes conscious of the strong ruddy hues and only then of the various painted figures. Altogether 61 different figures of for example elk and human figures, bear paws and lizard-like figures are visible on the cliff wall. Large figures with triangular heads are especially interesting since such kind of figures are not found in any other rock paintings in Finland. Moreover, boat shapes common to other rock paintings are missing altogether in Hossa. The painting has been executed on a rock wall plunging perpendicularly into the lake, over and area some 10,5 meters long. The lowest figures are only 20 cm and the highest ones some 2.5 meters above the present surface of the lake. The water level of the lake has remained approximately the same elevation ever since the end of the Ice Age, and consequently land upheaval cannot be used to date the paintings. The figures have been painted with red ochre paint. The exact composition and preparation method of the paint is still unknown. It was probably made from iron oxide by heathing and adding fat, blood, and possibly also egg as a binder. The figures have been prerserved by a film of siliceous oxide that has formed over them. The minerals forming the protective transparent coating have been dissolved from the rock itself.

Hossanretki Oy and Hossa Holiday Center organize guided hiking, skiing and snowmobile trips to the rock paintings.

In Jalonniemi-houset here is an exhibition of prehistoric Suomussalmi, including information and a giant photograph of these rock paintings.