GP 68 Dalhem Hallfoser

Context and Discovery
Lindqvist (1941/42 II, p. 39) notes: “Picture stone, found about 1874 by the farmer Jacob Larsson while ploughing a plot of cleared land approximately 500 m northeast of his farmstead. Next to the stone, bronze objects were discovered, which apparently were part of a Migration-Period cremation burial. (These objects are owned by SHM, Inv. 5644, 5646).”

According to a report by Folke Larsson from 2002 (GF, Dalhem Gårdar H–Ö, Hallfose: Fornfynd vid Hallfose i Dalhem och spår efter gammal bebyggelse m.m.), the picture stone and the other objects were found in 1873 or 1874 in a field called ʻÄngsåkerʼ. First, the picture stone was kept at the farmhouse but later, in 1911, it was handed over by Jacob Larsson to Gotlands Museum. Among the objects which have been found together with the stone are a fibula, a key, a pendant and some chain fragments of bronze, found beneath two limestone slabs (kalkflisor) (SHM 5644), as well as a pottery vessel (SHM 5646). These finds were handed over to Gotlands Museum in 1985. In 1876 and 1879, more finds originating from the same spot were delivered to Fornsalen (Gotlands Museum) by Jacob Larsson (most of them featuring traces of fire exposure): 45 beads, 7 chain links of bronze, a bone comb, and some iron pieces (SHM 5840); an iron mount, a bronze needle, a kind of bronze hook, 60 beads of glass and clay, circa 15 beads which are melted into each other, and 10 iron nails (SHM 6392A); a sword blade, 2 spear heads, an axe, a spindle whorl, a whetstone, pottery sherds, and fragments of wood and iron (SHM 11561). Furthermore, Folke Larsson mentions some objects found by himself, in particular, a stenklot/gravklot.

In 2017, Dan Carlson investigated remains of settlements and hearths in Hallfose (RAÄ Dalhem 112–116). In his report (ATA, dnr 2018-667) he gives a brief description of the find-rich region of Hallfose, including kämpgravar and probably a Roman Iron Age and Migration Period cemetery at ʻÄngsåkernʼ, where the stone and the other finds from the 1870s were found. It is very likely that the stone once was erected as a grave marker on this very burial ground.

Measurements, Material and Condition
The slab represents an entirely preserved dwarf stone with a massive, almost cuboid root. Only a small part of the root seems to be broken off. “Limestone slab, up to 6 cm thick. The obverse probably is naturally even [but] heavily pitted and weathered. The narrow sides have been dressed roughly at right angles to the obverse. A chamfer between the two probably never existed. The reverse is rough and unworked. The total height is 90 cm, about 70 cm of which are above the root. Width of the head 53.5 cm, of the body 44.5 cm” (Lindqvist 1941/42 II, pp. 39–40).

Description of Ornament and Images
No traces of decoration are left on the observe of the stone. Possibly, it has never been carved.

Interpretation of the Imagery
No interpretation

Type and Dating
The size and the shape (semi-circular head with corners slightly protruding downwards and a massive root) of the dwarf stone clearly indicate a Type B picture stone, dating to between AD 500 and 700. In terms of shape, Type B stones like GP 143 Halla Broa I and GP 142 Halla Broa VII are good parallels, both belonging to Lindqvist’s ʻStenstugruppeʼ. Unlike the Hallfose monument, however, these stones are decorated on both sides. The Ängsåker grave field probably dates to the Roman Iron Age and the Migration Period. However, some of the finds, namely the sword and the axe (SHM 11561), are from the Viking Period.
GP 143 Halla Broa I
GP 142 Halla Broa VII

References
Lindqvist 1941/42 II, pp. 39–40, fig. 343.

mer grejer

Find Context

The Stone

Carvings

Detailed Information

Svensk sammanfattning

Identification

Links

Export

More media

Plane	Position	Flip