Vragebugten

9 ca 1,5 m high stones (8 in a circle and one central stone).

The position of this rare thing is not accurate, and I´m not sure that I would find it again. But I took part in a guided tour in 2010, and it is in there somewhere.

Gardberg is an area covering more than 2 square kilometers in the municipality of Vestre Slidre in Valdres. Follow the signs to Einangsteinen from road E16.

550 of a proposed thousand burial mounds has been investigated. More than 900 finds date from Roman iron-age up towards viking-age 800 CE. The area has traces of iron-production before, under and after viking-age.

There is a stone with 70 saucerlike hollows.

The famous Einang-runestone is also here.

Across the road from the shipsetting there are a stonecircle (one altarstone in the middle and nine in the circle itself) diameter 36 m. Its called a dommarring in swedish, i.e. judges ring. The stones are massive blocks.

There are several burialmounds and two standing stones close by.

49 stones (of 51 or 52). 41 m long, 9 m wide. Endstones both about 4 m high. There are about ten graves around the stone ship, excavations have shown urns containing burned bones (dated about 400-600CE). One of Swedens largest and most magnificent stone ships. The E6-road is close and there’s a constant rumble of cars.

Very close to the road, but behind a barbed-wire-fence. Only one (?) of the stones is standing.

Burial-mounds in the background.

There are 7 stones at Grinde (the site is called Dukjen), they are known as Resa- or Sversteinane. The stones are 1,8 – 4 m. high and 0,5 -1,5 m. wide.

In 1919 only one of the stones were standing, 6 were used as building-material for bridges. The site was restored in 1952 and the stones were placed in a L.

The stones may come from an old quarry at Grindevatnet, about 550 m. north-east from Dukjen.

The Stødle-plautaux

Follow signs to “Stødle kyrkje”, there are several things to see here (mounds, stones and petroglyphs). There is a map on the parking at the church.

The stone on the mound beside the church (Kyrkjehaugen, i.e. the churchmound) have a standing stone on top. This stone is fairly recently put up here, it used to be a part of the stonefence around the church.

Gjerde church, in the center of Etnesjøen, just across the street from the hotell Fugl Fønix.

A 5,25 m high, standing stone with engraved cross. The stone might be a remain from an old pre-cristian burialsite.

There are several sites with petroglyphs in Etne. Especially along the lake Stordalsvatnet. There are two large stones dotted with petroglyphs.

From E134 take the road down to Frette. To the first stone, Duesteinen, take the road to the left just before the bridge at Frette, just past the second Vinje-farm (about 600 m along the road).

Bruteigsteinen is a large rock covered with petroglyphs. Dating of petroglyphs is difficult, 1300-500BCE (bronze-age) has been suggested for this stone.

It is close to the farmbuildings of the Flåte farm. There is a parkingspace 200 meters before you reach the houses on the farm, go through the gate and follow the path along the stream (uphill)

The first time the returning winter-sun reaches above the Flåte-skaret it shines on the stone.

From Etnesjøen towards Skånevik. Please note that the road can be narrow in parts. It may be just as easy to take E134 and the northern approach to Skånevik (Håland, route 48). But with a small car and low speed, the road around the coast can be a treat, its not much traffic (at least it wasn’t the 2 times I have driven it).

There is a sign from the main road towards Ebna. Drive down the hill to the sea, and park behind the barn.

There are 3 mounds. One with 4 standing stones, placed in the corners of the mound.
The mounds are thought to be from the older iron-age. In the 19th century there were 10 mounds. There are also several non-visible graves. One contained material dated to about 400 CE.

The mounds have been digged through the ages. One Bertil Ebna (1719-1769) is supposed to have found both silver and gold, and was rewarded with ill health (as he rightly should be).

The place is scenic, placed close to the sea and in the right season snowcowered mountains in the horizon.

Dale-Gudbrand is a well known figure in the story of the christening of Norway. Saint Olav on his way up the valley of Gudbrandsdalen (i.e. Gudbrands valley) came to Gudbrands farm at Hundorp a day in 1021. The story is told in Snorre Sturlassons Heimskringla:

King Olav met the farmers as agreed early on the next morning, when the image of the god Tor was carried out. When the meeting was in order Dale-Gudbrand asked the king were his god was? The sun rose and the king said: Here comes my god with a great light. As the farmers turned against the sunrise, Kolbein the strong hit the image, it burst and out streamed mice, lizzards and worms. When they saw this, Dale-Gudbrand and the farmers accepted christianity.

This is all that is documented of Dale-Gudbrand as a historical figure. The farm that carries his name at Hundorp has other qualities however.

- 5 mounds dated iron-age.
- One square-shaped stonesetting with 10 stones.
- A white stone
- One stone (ca 1,5 m high) remaining of a large stone-setting of originally 36 stones! The ring was documented by Gerhard Schøning in the 1770-ies (Reise som giennem en Deel af Norge i de Aar 1773, 1774, 1775 paa Hans Majestæt Kongens bekostning...).

Situated very close to the main road (E6) it is well worth a stop, you may even spend the night as there is a small hotell there as well.

I must apologize for the poor quality of the posted photographs, they were taken just before sunset with a mobile. But as there may be a few years before I’ll be in the vicinity again this is what I have to offer...

Close by Vardehaugen (200 m.) is the gravesites at Gleinneset . You’ll see remains of viking- and bronze-age burials. Most of it lies in a pine-plantation (that my local informant said was going to be cut down soon). The bronze-age-mound has a magnificant location by the sea. It may be strange today, but Dønna was a very central place just a hundred years ago, when all traffic was by sea. The boat-grave contained a few remains of iron and a small bell, the ship must have been about 2 m. wide and 7 m. long. The long mound itself was about 20 m. The other mounds are round. In 1952 about 30 mounds of various sizes were counted. In 1955 14 were excavated.

Not directly signposted as such, but there’s a beach-sign and a parking lot just next to the road.

You can see the stone from the road if you look towards the sea when driving (not recommended!).

The stone has been moved two times since 1941 as the road has been widened. The area was excavated in 1941 and several graves found near the stone.

The stone is on private land, signposted from the main road, 20 meters down a dirt-road. It’s probably better to park on the parking-lot for the Husabø-graveyard down the slope if you can find a way to get there by car.

The stone is probably Norways highest with 7,87 meters.

The name, Balders stone, is first known used in the 19th century, it has also been known as Fritjofs (probably mythological, known from literary sources such as Fritjofs saga) stone and the Ivar Elda (historical figure killed at the battle of Fimreite in 1184) stone.

Balder is of course the name of one of Odin’s sons.

Glein is on the island of Dønna. You have to take the ferry from Sandnessjøen, Glein is 2 miles (20 km) from the ferry-landing at Bjørn.

The mound is called Val’haugen or Vardehaugen, built of stone with a coat of earth. It was partly demolished and the stone and gravel used for road-building at the end of the 18th century. The eastern side contained a burial-chamber covered by two large stone-slabs. In the chamber were the skeletons of a man and a horse, along with equipment such as a battle-axe and a sword. It is possible that the mound contained one or more stone-kists as well. The mound was restored in 1978 and is about 30 meter in diameter and 4,5 meter high.

The white stone that stands on the top (pikk-steinen as it’s sometimes called in norwegian, translates into prick-stone in english I guess), is one of several phallic stones found in Norway. A list as of 2005 is found on the Arkeologi i nord-blog and totals 77. The one at Glein is the biggest at 90 cm. It has been suggested that they were used in fertility-cults connected to the seagod Njord (Solberg, 2001).

This particular stone was found by W.F.H. Christie on the beach close by and brought to Bergen Museum in 1831. A copy stood on the mound until the original was brought back in 200?.

Reference: Bergljot Solberg: Hellige hvite steiner – spor av fruktbarhetskult i Norge In Kjønn – erotikk – religion, 2001 (Bergen Museums skrifter; 9).

The Five Bad Virgins is 5 stones at Norheim , very close to the bridge over the sound (Karmsundet) between the mainland at Haugesund and Karmøy. There are 3 stones marking the corners in a triangle and 2 stones in the middle.

In 1901 a bronze-kettle containing ashes and bearclaws wrapped in cloth was found about 2 meters west of the 2 middle stones. The kettle is probably roman from South-West Germany dated to about 300CE.

If you come from Haugesund take to the right just after RadisonSAS and follow the signs.

The Virgin Marys sewing needle (in norwegian Jomfru Marias synål) is an 7,2 meter high stone close to the southern wall of the church at Avaldsnes. When it touches the wall the world will go under!

There has also been a 9 meter high stone by the church, but it was destroyed in a fire in 1698 (?).

Avaldsnes has been a central place in early norwegian history, due to its proximity to Karmsundet.

When I first saw the stone 3 years ago I felt it would be wrong to take a photo, as it wouldn’t do justice to the impression it makes when you walk round the corner and it rages over you.

The stonesetting at Elgesem is 40 meters long and 7 meters at the broadest. 21 of originally 38 stones still stands. The endstones is 2,5 (east) and 1,85 (west) meters high.

There are also 8 burial-mounds at the site (of originally 20-30) and several unmarked graves. Finds show that the site has been in use from about 500BC up to 1000CE.

A runestone was found in an excavation made by Nikolay Nikolaysen in 1870, the inscription is thought to represent the letters ALU.

Situated close to the road, a few hundred meters after the church if one arrives from the north (road no 118, Sarpsborgveien).

Two stonecircles (13 stones each), about 2000 years old according to the informationboard. Both restored in 1938.

Supposedly there have been a temple (hov) dedicated to the god Tor and a sacred grove here. Used as a meeting- and dancingsite up till 50-60 years ago.

From the south, drive through the center of Steinkjer (E6) and the sign to Egge will soon show up.

Egge is an area with several burial remains (33 in all) spread along the ridge (Eggevammen). Mainly mounds, 6 of them wide (diameter 18-29 m.), and low stonecircles.

In the nearby cemetery stand a 2 meter high standing stone.

Take road 762 towards Ogndal from the center of Steinkjer, after about 2,5 km follow the sign to Gravfelt 1,5 km. The site is located in a residental area, but has enough space.

There are 2 large standing stones, each about 5 meters tall.

There is also a stonecircle with a center stone. And some large burial mounds.

Placed in the garden of the Tingvoll Park Hotell in Steinkjer the remains of this stone shipsetting consists of 38 stones (of originally probably 45).

It’s 9 meters at the widest, and must originally have been about 40 meters long.

The area once sported other stone circles, 3 standing stones and several burialmounds according to a map drawn in 1816 by L.D. Klüwer (published in Klüwers Norsk mindesmerker 1823)

The site at Istrehågan (Jåberg, Tjølling in Larvik municipality) contains two shipshaped stonesettings and three stonerings. The stonesettings have been dated to 400–600 c.e.

Tjølling in Larvik has several prehistoric sites. On road 303 between Larvik and Sandefjord, about 500 meters after the takeoff to Ula, on the north side of the road some 50-100 meters out in an open field stands Hasle-steinen (i.e. The Hasle Stone). About 4,8 meter above ground it is one of the larger standing stones in Norway.

Placed at the highest point in a terrain that slopes towards Indre Viksfjord in the southwest and towards Hemskilen and the Istre-Syrist river in the north-east. The placement a few meters north of the absolute top can be explained by the fact that when the sealevel was higher (about 5 meters 500CE), the wind and waves on the the Viksfjord-side saved a bigger accumulation of matter to the south of the stone.

If the stone was raised as early as 200-400 BCE, there was a narrow isthmus, from the stone it was 50 meters to the beach of Hemskilen and about 150 meters to the sea at Viksfjord. It has been suggested that the stone was raised as a sign that boats could be dragged over land there.

A local tradition links the stone to the first Vestfold king, Halfdan Kvitbein (or Hvitbein, i.e. Halvdan Whitebone), that may have lived up to the mid-700. According to Snorre Sturlasson he was buried (“hauglagt”) in Skiringssal at Skjæreid. That the eid (i.e. isthmus) in Skjæreid is the same istmus were the stone stands is unlikely.

There have been several burialsites close by, even another standing stone (that was moved and parts of it used as a bridge over a brook on the farm). 10 to 15 meters from the stone, N. Nicolaysen found in the 1860-ies, a large flat stone that the local farmer called the giants grave. This may be one of the two flat stones that a later farmer, Hans A. Hasle, found when digging in may 1913, close to the standing stone. These flat stones was placed upon smaller stones, and there was a circle of smaller stones around (diameter 3 meter).

Doctor Arent Augestad, wrote down a story in 1903 that he had heard from an 80 year old woman of Hasle farm. She had heard it in her youth from an old woman (probably Sibille Eriksdatter, that died in 1847). Sibille once came from town with her child and heard noices in the wood, she thought it was her husband trying to scare her. They were both young and she was not scared. Then a large darkclad man runs towards the stone. Around the stone were many people, and the man flew into the crowd and caused great alarm, and then everything was gone. Sibilly still wasn’t scared, but when she came home it took a long time before the could tell anyone what she had seen – wrote doctor Augestad. (Source: Tjølling bygdebok, 1974, vol. 1 p. 131)

If you come from the south on E6, take road no 110 (Oldtidsveien) towards Fredrikstad.

From the north drive over Glomma at Sarpsborg, take road no 111 towards Fredrikstad, after a few hundred meters take the road (to the left) to Borge church, this road meets road no 110 (Oldtidsveien) after a few kilometers (at Borge school), take to the left again and you’ll soon be there. There are two parking lots, the rings are closest to the second.

There are 3 areas of interest at Hunn. The stonerings are in the southern area. This is the english text from the information-board:

On the slope in front of you, you see one of the biggest and most magnificient clusters of stone rings in Norway. There are in all nine big rings of upright stones. Moreover, there are a number of burial cairns and circular cromlechs. Each ring consists of 12, 13 or 15 stones. In earlier times it was assumed that trials had been held in such sites, the defendant standing in the middle, and the judges seated around, one on each stone. Archeological research, however, has proved the ring sites to be burialgrounds, probably from the Pre-Roman Iron Age (500 BC – AD). Apart from some charcoal and burned bones, nothing has been found in the rings, which clearly identifies them as fire graves, where the deceased had got elaborately shaped monuments – instead of equipment and gifts in their graves...

The norwegian infoboard elaborates a bit. Some of the rings and cairns were excavated in 1950-53, and several fallen stones were raised. The stones in the rings were connected with packed stones. In the centre of some the rings were found a large flat stone or a “package” of stones. (C-14-datings of charcoal from a similar stonering in the middle site at Hunn dates it prior to, or between 520-280 BC.) The cairns seems to be younger, six stone-pearls and two bronze-buckles dated viking-age (800-1050) were found in two of them. In the 1970-ies a few rockcarvings were found in the wood to the east close to this site. Locally this site is known as tinget.