A Gotlandic Picture Stone Tradition Reconsidered : An analysis and reclassification of the so-called kerbstones

Abstract: In 1941/42, Sune Lindqvist published his seminal work on the Gotlandic picture stones (Gotlands Bildsteine I & II) in which he included a category of stones that he interpreted as kerbstones. However, Lindqvist’s kerbstones have not received further examination or contextualization to determine the validity of his categorization. In my analysis, I take a hermeneutic approach that incorporates theories of agency, materiality, and phenomenology to contextualize the so-called kerbstones within not only the picture stone tradition but also the broader Gotlandic tradition of marking graves and memorials. Utilizing 3D visual reconstructions, I have confirmed that some of Lindqvist’s kerbstones could have been part of a circular edge chain and can be connected to the picture stone tradition. However, there are additional types of picture stones within Lindqvist’s kerbstone category which cannot be categorized as kerbstones and that likely represent additional types of picture stone monuments.