Bronze Age Cairns on Gotland: The Stone Monuments
Gotland is home to around 400 large Bronze Age cairns, some with intriguing names like Angantyr's Cairn and Uggarde rojr. Locally known as "stainrojr" or "stainroir" in the Gotlandic dialect, these massive stone constructions are remarkably large, and Gotland boasts an unusually high number of them. In total, around 1,300 cairns have been recorded on the island, of which 400 are categorized as large cairns. For example, Digerrojr, pictured above, stands 5 meters tall and spans 35 meters in diameter—though it’s not even the largest.
Distinguishing Large Cairns from Smaller Ones
When we talk about these stone cairns, it's important to distinguish them from smaller burial mounds, such as the graves at Trullhalsar, also shown above. Gotland has approximately 1,000 of those smaller mounds.
The larger cairns, however, are truly monumental structures, constructed during the Bronze Age (1500–500 BCE). For instance, at Kauparve in Lärbro parish, archaeologists have exposed the core of a cairn to showcase its internal construction.
Monumental Structures from the Bronze Age
Most of these cairns are built from grey stone, though in northern Gotland, limestone cairns can also be found. Occasionally, some cairns are covered with earth and turf. One of the most striking examples is Uggarde rojr, often considered the most powerful Bronze Age burial monument in Scandinavia. These cairns were typically built close to the shoreline, making them visible from the sea.
One interesting feature often found on these cairns is a crater-like depression at the top, as seen in Snoda stajnrojr. While these were once thought to be the result of treasure hunters, modern interpretations suggest they may be the result of structural collapse.
Limited Excavation and Preservation
Only a few large cairns have been excavated, as removing all the stone is an arduous task. Therefore, most of these cairns remain untouched in their original locations. For those who appreciate cultural heritage, this is fortunate, as it reduces the likelihood of these monuments being disassembled and displayed in museums, where they might be gawped at by an urban audience less interested in Gotlandic history.
Size and Scale
Bro Stainkalm, a large cairn located near Road 148, just a few miles north of Visby, stands 3.5 meters tall and spans 38 meters in diameter. In comparison, Uggarde rojr, the largest cairn on Gotland, reaches nearly 8 meters in height and stretches 45 meters across—roughly the size of half a football field. To truly grasp its scale, think of it as being as large as a typical house.
Age of the Cairns
The history of these monumental cairns dates back to around 1500 BCE, continuing until approximately 500 BCE. To put this in perspective, while the pyramids of Egypt were already a thousand years old, the city of Troy was still flourishing, long before the Greeks besieged it around 1100 BCE.
It’s worth noting again that these large cairns are considered actual buildings, and Gotland is home to a remarkable number of these Bronze Age structures—around 400 in total.
Myths and Legends
Monuments of such great age naturally inspire myths and legends. Some cairns, for example, have a series of standing stones trailing behind them, suggesting ancient rituals or ceremonies. Perhaps bronze horns were once sounded during these gatherings, though we have no concrete evidence of what might have occurred.
Archaeologists have uncovered bronze items, such as knives and razors, likely grave offerings, indicating a belief in some form of afterlife. However, beyond these few discoveries, much remains unknown.
The idea of treasure lurking within these cairns has given rise to stories like the tale of the Dragon's Hoard in Rute. Although some believe these cairns contain fabulous riches, the effort to plunder them is often in vain, as seen with Fålltare Fylling.
There are, however, darker aspects to these cairns beyond mere folklore. The myth of "mylingar" (restless spirits of unbaptized infants) adds a more eerie layer to the history of these ancient structures.
Connections to Beowulf and Angantyr
The legendary figure Beowulf, often associated with Gotland, requested to be buried at "Hronenäs" as he lay dying—likely in Rone parish, where Uggarde rojr now stands. This cairn is named after the nearby Uggarde estate.
The name Angantyr may also sound familiar to those who have read the epic Beowulf, the oldest known Germanic poem from the 6th century. If you're curious, you can visit Angantyr's Cairn in Grötlingbo. Angantyr was one of the kings of the Svear, who was killed in battles between the Gotlanders and the Svear. This may suggest that the remains of a brave Swedish king lie beneath Gotlandic soil.