GP 279 När Mickelgårds

Context and Discovery
The stone was found in the autumn 1911 while plowing in Kluckar Håigarden on the farm Mickelgårds, at a depth of one ell. In 1913, it was sent as a gift to SHM by lector Masse Klintberg. (Lindqvist 1941/42 II, p. 103; GR I, p. 145). In a letter to Gabriel Hildebrand dated Visby 14 Ocotber 1912, Klintberg tells that Olof Sörling has made rubbing [Sw. avklappning] and that Klintberg himself has photographed it, but he thinks that it will be difficult to read the runes in the photo (Lindqvist’s working material, ATA).

In total, eight picture stones have been found in this parish, GP 276-283, including two more E-stones with runic inscriptions: GP 278 När Bosarve (G 92) and GP 282 När Hallute (G 93). All stones from När parish are of small size. In the near vicinity, a silver hoard has been found (L1976:6618).
LKÅ
GP 276 När Rikvide (I)
GP 277 När Rikvide 2
GP 278 När Bosarve
GP 280 När Smiss I
GP 281 När Smiss 3
GP 282 När Hallute
GP 283 När Smiss II

Measurements, Material and Condition
Sandstone. The height is 0.62 m, the height of the carving is 0.41 m. The largest width is 0.53 m, the width between the corners of the head is 0.43 m. Thickness 0.11 m. (Lindqvist 1941/42 II, pp. 103f.; GR I, p. 145).

The obverse is naturally smooth, the narrow sides are hewn flat at right angles towards the obverse, the reverse is rough and unworked. The stone is decorated with carved lines that are 2 mm wide and about as deep and have narrow bases. (Lindqvist 1941/42 II, pp. 103f.). The carving is partly damaged, as layers have been partially flaked off the stone surface.

The stone was 3D-scanned in 2007 within a research project at Stockholm University (Kitzler Åhfeldt 2013). The 3D-data was further analysed in a study comparing the carving techniques on Gotland and the Swedish mainland respectively (Kitzler Åhfeldt 2019).

According to Gotlands runinskrifter, about 7 runes are missing and only visible as some remains of verticals (GR I, p. 145). Thorgunn Snædal examined the stone in 2000, and reports that she has seen the verticals of seven runes, but since they are well preserved except in the tops, she finds it likely that there never were any branches (Snædal 2002, p. 71 note 70). An examination of the 3D-data confirms that there are no carved branches on the last runes, at least not on the last four runes. However, these might have been painted, as we know of other runestones with parts that should have been carved have been painted only. In the left loop of the union knot, a carving mistake can be seen: the lines of the band crosses the lines of the knot. It is possible that this stone was not finished, but that the relief carving was given up due to the flaking of the surface.
LKÅ

Description of Ornament and Images
The stone is decorated with an edge following band ending in spiral ornaments in the middle of the stone, where the ends are tied together by a union knot, crested by a pointed leaf upwards and a bulb downwards. A runic inscription in the band follows the edge of the head of the stone.
LKÅ

Interpretation of the Imagery
The stone is carved on one side only. The runic dragon or serpent with a tail and offshoots ending in spirals and tied by a palmette knot is a common motif on runestones, usually interpreted as a Christian motif where the evil powers are bound by the tree of life, symbolizing Christ (see GP 20 Ardre kyrka VII). On this stone, though, there is no animal head and the ornament seems to be purely vegetative.

The small size of the stone is echoed in two other runic picture stones found only about a kilometre away, i.e. the above mentioned GP 278 När Bosarve (G 92) and GP 282 När Hallute (G 93). Our stone from Mickelgårds differ from those in having contour lines only and no pictures except the vegetative spiral ornament. Cecilia Ljung has discussed the small runic picture stones of type E in relation to early Christian grave monuments on Öland. They have in common their small size, dressed shape, and that the ornament often is carved in relief. It is reasonable to believe that the Gotland stones had the same function as grave monuments as the Öland stones, but as Ljung observes, not all on Gotland have been found on churchyards (Ljung 2016 I, p. 165f.). This is true for our stone, which was found in a field more than a kilometre from the church in När.
LKÅ
GP 20 Ardre kyrka VII
GP 278 När Bosarve
GP 282 När Hallute

Runic Context and Comments
The stone has a memorial inscription. Snædal includes the stone in her group of runestones shaped like picture stones with Middle Scandinavian ornament (Snædal 2002, p. 67). Still, in a note she expresses some doubt as to the authenticity of this carving (Snædal 2002, p. 71 note 70).
LKÅ

Type and Dating
Type E, dwarf stone. The stone has no runic animal that can be classified, but the ornament indicates a style Pr3, thus a date between 1045-1075 is likely (Gräslund 2006, p. 126).
LKÅ

References
Lindqvist 1941/42, pp. 103 f., Fig. 150, 465; GR I, G 94; Snædal 2002, pp. 67, 71.

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