GP 25 Atlingbo kyrka (I)

Context and Discovery
The stone is built into the inner wall of the tower staircase, the obverse facing the interior (i.e., west). When one opens the door and enters the narrow staircase, the stone is immediately to the left, clearly visible. Lindqvist’s description of the location is somewhat confusing, although correct: “Fragment of a picture stone, inserted into the lower part of the tower staircase as the topmost stone in the southern pillar of the entrance, with its obverse towards the west” (1941/42 II, p. 26). The stone was first recognised in 1903 by Nils Lithberg.

Furthermore, the fragment of a Type E stone was installed in a wall niche and is kept in the church – GP 588 Atlingbo kyrka (II). According to a newspaper article (Gotlänningen 1956-10-15), in October 1956, two more fragments of Type A picture stones were discovered under the floor of the nave, where they have been re-used as a base for wooden beams. One of the stones is said to have had a circular motif and geometric ornamentation. Impressions of both stones were to be made and sent to Sune Lindqvist in Uppsala, while the originals were sent to Gotlands Museum. However, they cannot be found there and appear to be lost. No further information is available.
GP 588 Atlingbo kyrka

Measurements, Material and Condition
Lindqvist’s description (1941/42 II, p. 26) is unsatisfactory; apparently he did not see the stone himself and could only rely on information from Fredrik Nordin and Olof Sörling’s drawing. The following description is based on an inspection in 2020. The fragment of a limestone slab forms an irregular rectangle, 55 cm high, 45 cm wide, and at least 18 cm thick. The left vertical side of the fragment, which directly borders the door frame, represents the original (probably right) lateral edge of the picture stone, as can be seen from the preserved (slightly curved) border (see VI). The original narrow side, however, is no longer present; the stone has been chipped off along the border. The other three sides of the fragment are irregular broken edges. The surface is somewhat rough but relatively even; the relief depictions are well preserved and clearly visible. Nevertheless, the stone has not been well treated in recent times. The decorations have been traced with bright colours, the surface scratched in places. In addition, there are four small drill holes on the surface, to which a power line, a light switch or a power box seems to have been attached.

Description of Ornament and Images
Along the vertical edge two parallel, slightly curved grooves are preserved forming the simple border decoration. The grooves are shallow, and each is about 1 cm wide. On the fragmented image field, the largest part of a roundel is preserved, which features a motif consisting of four swastika-like interconnected spirals. Small disc motifs are placed in the spaces between the spirals (two of which are preserved) and in the centre of the main spiral motif. The spirals and the small discs are clearly raised, the background within the roundel was chiselled out, about 2 to 3 mm deep. The relief is accurate and clearly worked. The roundel probably represents one of a pair of small disc motifs. The only published illustration is the drawing by Sörling reproduced in Lindqvist’s book (1941/42 II, fig. 315; ATA run- och bildstenssamling 2441:3), which depicts the essential elements well.

Interpretation of the Imagery
No interpretation

Type and Dating
The fragment represents an early-type picture stone, i.e., Type A according to Lindqvist’s typology, dating to between AD 400 and 600. Lindqvist assigns the stone to his Brotypus, named after GP 43 Bro kyrka I, which is characterized by a large central and two smaller roundels, simple grooves featuring the lateral border decoration, and a more elaborate pattern at the upper edge of the tall monument (1941/42 I, p. 26–27; cf. Hauck 1983a, pp. 541–542). Similar spiral motifs are depicted on GP 556 Väskinde Björkome I, GP 159 Halla kyrka (I), GP 50 Bro kyrka VI (depicted in the small roundels) and GP 400 Stenkyrka kyrka I, GP 537 Vallstena Vallstenarum I (in the large roundel).
GP 43 Bro kyrka I
GP 556 Väskinde Björkome I
GP 159 Halla kyrka (I)
GP 50 Bro kyrka VI
GP 400 Stenkyrka kyrka I
GP 537 Vallstena Vallstenarum (I)