Picturing Megaliths in Twentieth- Century Swedish Archaeology

Abstract

ln this paper I will begin a discussion about the ways in which megaliths appear in archaeological images. My discussion of examples is not comprehensive and the selection of images far from complete, but I hope nevertheless to present some key elements of the pictorial vocabulary with which megaliths have been seen and depicted by archaeologists working in Sweden during the twentieth century. However, entering the third millennium of our chronometrical tirnescale should not only be an occasion to look back, but also an opportunity to look forward and reflect upon the way ahead. Recent discussions about the problems with established ways of depicting archaeological sites and objects, and suggestions for new kinds of images and illustrations, should concern us all and lead to an active engagement of archaeologists with questions of visual (re)presentation.