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Chariots of the Gods? Landscape and Imagery at Frännarp, Sweden

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 February 2014

John Coles
John Coles
Affiliation:
Fursdon Mill Cottage, Thorverton, Devon EX5 5JS
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Abstract

The rock carving at Frännarp has been known for a century and has been the subject of many reports, always concentrating upon the detailed representation of Bronze Age carts. A new recording of the site has revealed the existence of many faint carvings, including small carts, many discs, and also a number of paired animals for the well-known cart designs. Field surveys around the site show a dense concentration of burial and other monuments in the immediate area. The Frännarp site must have served as a special focus here and also for a wider cultural landscape, and a land-based route is identified which may have aided access from further afield.

Résumé

On connait depuis un siècle les gravures pariétales à Frännarp et elles ont fait l'objet de bien des rapports qui se sont toujours concentrés sur la représentation détaillée de chariots de l'âge du bronze. Un nouveau répertoire du site a révélé l'existence de nombreuses gravures peu visibles, qui comprennent de petits chariots, de nombreux disques ainsi qu'un nombre de paires d'animaux pour les célèbres motifs de chariots. Des campagnes de prospection autour du site ont révélé une forte concentration d'inhumations et autres monuments dans la vicinité immédiate. Le site de Frännarp doit avoir servi de point focal, ici, mais également pour un paysage culturel plus étendu, et on a identifié une voie terrestre qui peut en avoir facilité l'accès à ceux qui venaient de plus loin.

Resúmen

Los grabados en piedra de Frännarp han sido conocidos por más de un siglo y han sido tema de muchos artículos, siempre concentrados en la representación detallada de carros de la Edad del Bronce. Un nuevo análisis del yacimiento ha revelado la existencia de muchos grabados apenas visibles, que incluyen pequeños carros, muchos discos, y también un número de parejas de animales para el ya bien conocido diseño de carro. Análisis de la superficie del terreno alrededor del yacimiento han revelado una densa concentración de enterramientos y otros monumentos en las inmediaciones. El yacimiento de Frännarp debe haber actuado como un foco especial aquí y también para un paisaje cultural más amplio, y se ha identificado una ruta terrestre que puede haber facilitado el acceso desde zonas más distantes.

Zusammenfassung

Die Felsgravuren von Frännarp sind seit einem Jahrhundert bekannt und waren Gegenstand zahlreicher Berichte, die sich alle auf eine detaillierte Darstellung von bronzezeitlichen Wagen konzentrierten. Eine neue Aufnahme der Bilder hat die Existenz vieler verblasster Gravuren offenbart, einschließlich kleiner Wagen, vieler Scheiben, sowie einer Reihe paarweise auftretender Tiere für die bekannten Wagendarstellungen. Feldbegehungen rund um den Fundplatz zeigen eine dichte Konzentration von Gräbern und anderen Monumenten in unmittelbarer Nähe. Frännarp muss als besonderer Fokus gedient haben für diesen Ort, aber auch für eine größere Kulturlandschaft, und ein Landweg lässt sich feststellen, der den Zugang auch aus entfernteren Regionen ermöglicht haben kann.

Type
Research Article
Information
Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society , Volume 68 , 2002 , pp. 215 - 246
Copyright
Copyright © The Prehistoric Society 2002

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