Rune stone

Fragments of a rune- and picture stone made of red sandstone. The stone was depicted in the 17th century but subsequently disappeared. It was rediscovered in several pieces in 1940 in the churchyard at Kalmar Church in Uppland.

The pictorial carving shows two figures embracing each other in, or in front of, a doorway or portal. One of them is holding a processional cross. On the other side of the stone are the remains of a runic band. The inscription, depicted in a 17th-century illustration, read: “Nigulas had the stones raised in memory of Sögse, his father.” Nigulas is a Christian name.

The runic carving is dated to AD 1060–1100 and features motifs in the Urnes style. The pictorial carving is of an early Christian style and may have been added later than the runic band. The pictorial carving was possibly made when the rune stone was reused as a Christian grave monument.

U 631, Kalmar Church, Kalmar Parish, Uppland