Imaginary Vessels in the Late Bronze Age of Gotland and South Scandinavia: Ship Settings, Rock Carvings and Decorated Metalwork

A comparative analysis of Bronze Age ship settings on Gotland with rock carvings and metalwork from South Scandinavia suggests that the largest ship settings may have served as cult houses or symbolic representations of the island itself, akin to mainland Bronze Age cult structures. The study explores two key interpretations: one linking vessels to solar mythology, particularly their role in transporting the sun, and another emphasizing their association with the dead. By examining depictions across multiple media—ship settings, rock carvings, and decorated metalwork—the research reveals nuanced insights into the cultural significance of seagoing vessels during this period, potentially reflecting the distinctive social organization of Gotlandic communities.

Bradley, R., Skoglund, P., & Wehlin, J. (2021). Imaginary Vessels in the Late Bronze Age of Gotland and South Scandinavia: Ship Settings, Rock Carvings and Decorated Metalwork. Current Swedish Archaeology, 18(1), 79–103. https://doi.org/10.37718/csa.2010.08