Burning Down the House: Mythological Chaos and World Order on Gotlandic Picture Stones

Abstract

The Gotlandic picture stone monuments of the oldest type constitute a material manifestation of a "concept" which basically deals with world order and balance, from the single picture to the monument as a whole. This concept is detectable in myths, sagas and material culture alike. Only by paying more attention to the female agents of the sagas is it possible to reach an understanding ofthe common content of ideas between the different expressions. That the elements play an important role in the sagas is reflected in the setting and execution of monuments and artefacts.