Abstract

During a spectacular excavation in 1921 at the Norse farm of Herjolfsnes (Ikigaat) on the southern tip of Greenland, Poul Norlund found 58 wooden crosses of drift­wood in the graves at the site. Th ...

Highlights

  • It is well known that the Norse inhabitants of Greenland contributed to the art of the Middle Ages by supplying raw materials in the form of walrus and narwhal ivory for exclusive carving in Europe (Roesdahl 1995 and 1998, Frei et al 2015, Star et al 2018, Barrett et al 2019)

  • A significant number of the wooden crosses, which were mainly found in association with churchyard graves and of which seven bear runic inscriptions, are simple

  • Poul Nørlund, who was in charge of the archaeological investigations at Herjolfs­nes in 1921, interpreted the crosses as “absolution crosses” made for the occasion and placed with the body to ensure the absolution of the deceased (Nørlund 1924: 64)

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Summary

Introduction

It is well known that the Norse inhabitants of Greenland contributed to the art of the Middle Ages by supplying raw materials in the form of walrus and narwhal ivory for exclusive carving in Europe (Roesdahl 1995 and 1998, Frei et al 2015, Star et al 2018, Barrett et al 2019). Amongst them are four crosses with details, which despite their simplicity, exhibit traits that can be cautiously identified in European prototypes, and the same applies to two crucifixions. The main sections of this article will describe and analyse these six objects and their European antecedents. Christian Medieval Art in Norse Greenland: Crosses and Crucifixes and their European Antecedents.

Eastern Settlement
Accounts in the Icelandic sagas mention Leif Erikson and King Olaf
The function of the crosses
The four capital crosses
The two crucifixions
Conclusion
Summary
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