Date of Award

6-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Fine Arts in Art History and Visual Culture

First Advisor

Nadia McDonald

Second Advisor

Brandelyn Andres

Third Advisor

Melissa Elmes

Abstract

This thesis focuses on stone monuments created between the late fifth to late twelfth centuries CE, specifically in Scotland and Sweden. The aim of this thesis is to interpret the symbols or images inscribed onto the stone monuments to determine what they reveal about the Christianization of these regions. The Picts in Scotland and the Norse in Sweden left behind several standing stones such as the Craw Stane from the Picts and the Ledberg Stone from the Norse which have various symbols carved into them. These stones were sometimes created in connection with a burial, allowing the interpretations of their burial practices and how these practices were influenced by their belief systems. Furthermore, with the interpretation of the evolution of iconography found on the stones before and after conversion took place, the relationships between the Christians and the Pagan cultures can also be further explored and interpreted. However, these relationships and interactions between these cultures is much more complex than simply whether they got along or not. I believe that looking at the symbols on each stone and interpreting what they may have meant in their original context is the key to understanding just how complex relationships may have been. This research will shed more light on an under-studied field and allow for further research to explore the relationships between the Christian and Pagan cultures in other regions of northwestern Europe during the period of conversion. I believe that the further study of these stones will also allow for further interpretations of the complexities of cross-cultural interactions in other areas of Europe during this period and prove that the conversion from one culture and religion to another is much more complicated than previously thought.

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