Himmelstalund

The rock carvings of Himmelstalund (Swedish Himmelstalunds hällristningar ) lie south of the swimming pool at the southern entrance of E 4 to Norrköping in the province of Östergötland County. They come from the Swedish Bronze Age (1500-500 BC).

Context

The wide range of rock carvings ( petroglyphs ) in Östergötland show in Norrköping, a concentration at Motala ström and assign motives as elk, deer, horses and wild boars. Cruise ship pictures are found in large numbers and symbols such as soles, concentric circles, wheels, spirals and typical of Östergötland net-like images are represented. Characteristic are also axes and swords, which play a role in the discussion of the age of Nordic rock carvings. Human figures can be found sometimes in procession similar arrangement. Many petroglyphs are naturalistic and remember Norrland carvings and paintings. The most important sites are located at Ekenberg, Himmelstalund and Leonardsberg.

The scorings

With about 50 larger and smaller, just lying Hällristningar plates, the area of Himmelstalund is one of the most interesting areas in Scandinavia. Are striking:

• A double circle, come forth from the twelve horn-like arches.
• Proceed against a powerful Wildschweineber - a wild boar hunt when two men with long spears and two dogs - one of them apparently killed.
• Ships with indicated painted the side walls. Some of the ships have shown wide sweeping double Steven, resembling the Hjortspring Boat.
• Some ships of Himmelstalund interpret crews to over 50 people.
• One over the other drawings large rectangle filled with curved lines. The sheer size suggests something special and represents the Hierogramm an abstract idea