
Vestvågøy
- 13
Trollsteinen
Site/Artefact Type Site
Number UTM Grid
Reference Map (
1:50000) List of Sites
and Artefacts Interactive
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![]() Trollsteinen (Photo: Wenche Brun, Lofotr, the Viking Museum) Drawing of the cross
together with: top: a variant of the
Christ-symbol |
Description
This structure is, with its cross,
directly connected to religion. The size of the
stone is about 1x2 metres, and one of the vertical
sides has a cross engraved/carved, of 75 cm in
height. The shape of the cross is similar to those
used around the year 1000 AD in the north of
Norway.
Some researchers see similarities with Celtic areas in the British isles where crosses with rings were used, while another theory explains the cross as a variant of the Christ monogram, or Chi-Ro symbol.
The stone-block may have been part of Sámi cult, and then carved with the cross by Christians, to incorporate it into the new belief.
Such structures are not a common feature, the most similar is the "Sigmundarsteinur" at Skuvøy (Faroe Islands) and one "cross-rock" at Birsay (Orkney Islands).
Excavation Details
Not Available
Access/Ownership
Today the stone is situated close to the main road
E-10, at the first crossroads south of the church
Lofotkatedralen. The stone is included as part of
the project "Footprints in the North".
References
- Bertelsen, R. 1998. Vågans kirkested fra tusenårsskiftet til 1300 tallet. Fra Kong Øysteins kirke til Lofotkatedralen. Vågan kirke 100 år.
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project has been supported by the EU as part of the Culture
2000 programme.