GP 552 Väskinde Vis I

Context and Discovery
The find spot and the results of its examination by Fredrik Nordin are described extensively by Lindqvist (1941/42 II, p. 143): “In a field approximately 300 m north-northeast of Vis gård (farm) and about 400 m north-to-west of the crossroads east of the farm, No. I still is standing in well-preserved, albeit weathered condition, with the obverse facing towards O 20° S. In 1883, [Fredrik Nordin] examined the small, uncultivated ‘hill’ surrounding this stone. The ‘Körsbärsåker’ around it is said to have been a meadow not too long before. The investigation revealed that the earth of the hill’s top was blackened with ash, underneath were cobbles, including some of considerable size close to the picture stone. In the layer of ash, which was up to 70 cm deep, several relics were found: a bronze belt mount, rivets and other objects made of iron, fragments of a bone comb etc. (Viking Age). The former owner of the farm reported that once, when he tried to prop up the stone slab, had observed in front of it a small stone cist containing ash(?) and bones.

[Fredrik Nordin] also had heard that reportedly, there once was another picture stone at the site and that its root still had been encountered during ploughing. An excavation brought this root to light, which was standing in a straight line with [Väskinde Vis] I, at a distance of 1.2 m to the south/southwest, tilted towards the north and extending 65 cm into the earth. It is supposed to be the root of a picture stone [GP 553 Väskinde Vis II]. Next to it, at its southern, smoother side, another, thin stone slab stood vertically. In a depth of 40 cm, in front of the south face of rougher slab, a large iron drill was found. Between the bones that had been collected during the excavation and which were partly burnt, partly unburned, there also was, among other objects, a ribbon of silver wire embroidery (cf. Birka III, p. 114 [= Geijer 1938, p. 114]).”

The objects found here, indicating a cremation burial, date to the Viking Age, and kept in Statens Historiska Museum (SHM) without inventory number. The uncultivated hill on which the stones had been erected, can be regarded as a grave mound. Regarding the find spot and the found items, see Nordin 1903, p. 151; Thunmark-Nylén 1995–2006 III:2, p. 507; ibid. IV:2, p. 717; Andreeff 2012, p. 130; Oehrl 2019a, p. 33.

Lindqvist only provides a photo of the erected (unpainted) stone. The ʻhillʼ is not visible in the photo. A drawing of the stone standing on the mound, probably made by Fredrik Nordin, as well as a drawing by Olof Sörling depicting the entire slab including its root are kept in ATA. A drawing by Per Arvid Säve from 1863, depicting both stones standing on the mound, is kept in the archives in Uppsala (Uppsala universitetsbibliotek, Säves teckningar från Gotland, Alvin record 186627).
GP 553 Väskinde Vis II

Measurements, Material and Condition
The slab represents an entirely preserved mushroom-shaped picture stone. “Limestone slab, up to 30 cm thick. The obverse appears to have been smooth, but is severely weathered, and the larger part of the right side of its head, from a line running diagonally downwards across its face, is flaked off. The narrow sides are rounded towards the back. The reverse is rough and unworked. The stone’s total height is 2.8 m, of which 2.15 m are now above ground. The head is 75 cm high and 90 cm wide. The neck is 75 cm wide, the base 1 m” (Lindqvist 1941/42 II, p. 144). Today, the stone is in very poor condition and its surface is completely overgrown with lichens.

Description of Ornament and Images
“Of the decoration, only very insignificant remains of a border’s broad, interwoven pattern survived” (Lindqvist 1941/42 II, p. 144). However, it is very difficult to verify these observations today.

Interpretation of the Imagery
No interpretation

Type and Dating
Tall mushroom-shaped late-type picture stone, belonging to ʻAbschnittʼ C/D or E according to Lindqvist’s typology (1941/42 I, p. 44). If there is no decoration left, those monuments can only be roughly dated between the 8th century and around AD 1100. The find material from the spot dates to the Viking Period, too (see IV).

References
Nordin 1903, p. 151; Lindqvist 1941/42 II, p. 143–144, fig. 559; Thunmark-Nylén 1995–2006 III:2, p. 507; ibid. IV:2, p. 717; Andreeff 2012, p. 130; Oehrl 2019a, p. 33.

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