Externsteine relief

The Externsteine are located near Detmold, now in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia but in the Middle Ages in the Duchy of Saxony.

The legs of this figure have been lost since at least the 17th century, but it is shown at an elevated position, aiding in the recovery of Jesus' body from the cross.

[2]: 4 The upper register shows the torso of the ascended Christ wearing a cross halo and a victory flag.

These figures were variously identified as Adam and Eve (representing the fallen state of man in general),[2]: 4  or as a Saxon warrior and priest.

[1] The view of the relief as of Carolingian date remains a minority position, especially popular by authors who would like to identify the "plant-like" structure as a representation of Irminsul, e.g. in a 1997 anthroposophical publication.