When was the Tjängvide image stone discovered?
The Tjängvide image stone emerged from the earth in 1844 on a farm near Ljugarn. Farmers working the land uncovered the limestone slab during routine agricultural activities.
The Tjängvide image stone emerged from the earth in 1844 on a farm near Ljugarn. Farmers working the land uncovered the limestone slab during routine agricultural activities.
The artifact traveled to Stockholm shortly after its discovery and now rests inside the Swedish Museum of National Antiquities for public viewing. This location sits about three kilometers west of the village of Ljugarn on Gotland, Sweden.
Scholars identify the upper field figures as Odin riding Sleipnir while a valkyrie offers him a drinking horn. The horse displays eight legs to represent supernatural speed or divine status.
Scholars conclude the object likely dates between 700 CE and 900 CE based on stylistic analysis. No Christian symbols appear anywhere on the inscription or imagery.
The surviving inscription commemorates a man named Hiorulf though several runes are missing from the text. Transcriptions show partial phrases like raised the stone in memory of Hjôrulfr or Jórulfr.