Ardre image stones, Picture stones at Ardre Church, Sweden
The Ardre image stones are ten ornately carved stones featuring Norse imagery and runic inscriptions that once stood near the medieval Ardre Church in Gotland. They display a range of religious and everyday scenes that reveal the artistic skill and craftsmanship of the Viking period.
The stones were discovered around 1900 during church renovation work, having been repurposed as floor paving beneath wooden planks long before. They originated in the early medieval period and were originally erected elsewhere before the church incorporated them.
The stones depict scenes from Norse mythology, including Thor fishing and Odin riding his eight-legged horse. These images reflect the religious beliefs that shaped how people in this region understood their world.
The original stones are now on display at the Swedish Museum of National Antiquities in Stockholm, where you can examine them up close. The museum visit allows detailed viewing of the fine carvings and runic inscriptions carved into each stone's surface.
The Ardre III stone displays twin serpent figures signed with runes by the artist Likraiv, making it identifiable as his work. This signature is rare among picture stones and gives us a name of someone who created these works over a thousand years ago.
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