Picture stone

Subsequently, three distinct groups of stones exist with various aesthetics, locations and purposes.

The ornamentations are usually circular forms with vortex patterns and spirals, but also with images of ships, people, and animals.

[1] Their ornamentations present a rich array of pictures: ships with checkered sails and scenes with figures in different fields.

The image stones are valuable sources which complete knowledge from archaeology concerning ships and sails,[2] and they provide information on armor, wagons, and sleighs.

[3] The later stones in this group feature an upper field with stylized cross and dragon patterns in the style of some runestones.

The Stora Hammars I stone .
Detail of Odin entering Valhalla riding on Sleipnir from the Tjängvide image stone .
Image stones on display in Gotland Museum The largest of the picture stones on Gotland is found in Änge in Buttle . It is 3.85 m (12.6 ft) tall and is richly ornamented in the style of the 8th century. [ 4 ] [ 5 ]