GP 526 Tofta Smågårde

Context and Discovery
“Picture stone, located to the west of Ragnvalds farmstead, next to one of the stone settings in the eastern area of a grave field about 500 m north of the fishing village of Gnisvärd, on land owned by Oscar Nilsson in Smågårda. It was found in 1922 by J. Nihlén and at that time was almost toppled over, but with the stone’s head still free of the ground. In 1923, on behalf of the National Antiquarian A. Edle, it was set upright again at the same spot. The obverse, which was turned downwards when the stone was leaning over, was facing towards the east, away from the stone mound, the kerb of which almost touched the edge of the stone’s reverse. South of the picture stone, at a distance of 80 cm, measured edge to edge, an erected fieldstone of 75 cm height with pointed top is standing. Its width at its basis is about 50 cm along the line north-south, 40 cm along the line east-west” (Lindqvist 1941/42 II, p. 138).

There are two grave fields near the beach of Norra Gnisvärd, a southern (with the picture stone) and a northern grave field, both situated about only 100 m from the sea, flanking a bay (Carlsson 1987). The southern grave field (RAÄ Tofta 9:1), which lies 500 m straight north of Gnisvärd fiskeläge (ʻfishermen’s villageʼ), covers an area of 90 x 80 m (NNW–SSE) and includes 26 mounds of stones (rösen), 24 circular stone settings, 4 erected stones, and the picture stone. The mounds are between 3 and 9 m in diameter (most of them 5–8 m) and between 0.4 and 1.2 m high (most of them 0.4–0.6 m). At least three mounds have kerbs. The circular stone settings are between 2 and 8 m in diameter (most of them 3–6 m) and 0.2–0.4 m high. Some of the mounds or mound-like stone settings are misshapen and at least six of them have a pit on their top, indicating that they have been disturbed intentionally, probably by grave robbery. Perhaps, also the picture stone was toppled on this occasion. It is said by locals that the grave field had been robbed around 1900 (Gotlands Allehanda 1937-08-11). As already noted by Lindqvist, one of the erected stones is placed next to the picture stone, which stands just in front of the biggest röse. The picture stone seems to be directly connected to the mound and could be regarded as a kind of grave marker.

The northern grave field (RAÄ Tofta 171:1) lies about 400 m north of the cemetery with the picture stone described above. It represents an area of 80 x 25 m (NNE–SSW) and includes three grave mounds of stone (rösen) and six circular stone settings. In the 1960s, two Viking Age burials were investigated here (ATA, dnr 639/67), and in 1986 two more inhumation graves were discovered, one of which contained Viking Age grave goods as well (ATA dnr 6527/87, 6517/87).

Northwest of the southern grave field, directly neighboring it, remains of a settlement, probably a seaport (RAÄ Tofta 9:2), as well as three graves were detected during an excavation conducted by Dan Carlsson in 1986 (Carlsson 1987). One of the burials contained typical female grave goods of the Late Vendel Period (AD 700–750). Further indications for the dating the settlement are Arabic coins from the 9th and 10th centuries as well as radiocarbon dates (9th century).

Measurements, Material and Condition
“Limestone slab, about 20 cm thick. The obverse is naturally even, the narrow sides are rounded. The reverse is rough and unworked. Above ground, the stone’s width is 100 cm, its overall height now 175 cm, the height of the head formerly more than 75 cm. The neck is 93 cm wide, the basis 120 cm” (Lindqvist 1941/42 II, p. 138). In the report written by Edle, however, the total height of the slab, including its root, is specified as 250 cm (ATA 2382-1923). The picture stone, light grey in color, is much weathered and abraded. Nevertheless, it is almost completely preserved, except the upper right part of its head, which seems to have been hewn off. The stone’s top is a bit damaged as well. Both corners of the ʻmushroom headʼ, however, are still preserved.

In the 1976 inventory it was mentioned that the grave field was overgrown by trees and should be cleared. In 1994, at least the vegetation around the picture stone had been cleared; furthermore, the stone, which had been overgrown with moss and lichen, was cleaned and broken parts and spalling on the monument’s surface fixed with mortar (GF, RIKs no. 1606–3026, 3038). However, today the entire grave field is still very much covered with bushes and trees, which makes it difficult to access the monuments at all.

Description of Ornament and Images
No traces of carvings visible.

Interpretation of the Imagery
No interpretation

Type and Dating
Mushroom-shaped late-type picture stone, belonging to ʻAbschnittʼ C–E according to Lindqvist. Those monuments can be roughly dated to the period between the 8th century and around AD 1100. The southern grave field and the mound next to the stone remain undated. Apparently, as far as known from the finds and radiocarbon dates so far (see IV), the settlement and the northern grave field date to the late Vendel and early Viking Period, i.e., to the 8th to 10th centuries. This seems to be the most plausible dating for the picture stone, as well.

References
Lindqvist 1941/42 II, p. 138, fig. 551–552; Carlsson 1987, p. 8; Andreeff 2012, p. 143; Oehrl 2019a, pp. 32, 35, pl. 19a.

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