While renovating his home in Klotzow, Germany, Peter Wittenberg recently happened upon a 12th-century "picture stone" emblazoned with the image of a mysterious figure that may be Bishop Otto of Bamberg.
Christian Moeller/Ministry of Science, Culture, Federal and European Affairs Mecklenburg-VorpommernThe 900-year-old picture stone featuring a carving of a man holding a cross.
Recently, a man renovating his home in Klotzow, Germany discovered a massive stone emblazoned with a carving beneath the house. Researchers have now determined that this extraordinary find is a 12th-century picture stone, a rare form of rock art that originated in Germanic regions during the Iron Age.
The stone features a carving of a Christian figure holding a cross in front of his chest. This is the first picture stone of its kind that’s been recovered and presents a unique glimpse into the timeline of the Christianization of Northern Europe.
Researchers believe that the stone may feature a depiction of Bishop Otto of Bamberg, a 12th-century missionary who was active this area, though more study is still needed.
A Home Renovation In Klotzow, Germany Turns Up A Medieval Picture Stone
Christian Moeller/Ministry of Science, Culture, Federal and European Affairs Mecklenburg-VorpommernPeter Wittenberg, Minister of Culture Bettina Martin, and state archaeologist Dr. Detlef Jantzen stand next to the stone.
Peter Wittenberg, while working on the foundations of his home in Klotzow, recently discovered an odd looking chunk of granite. The 1,000-pound stone measured roughly three feet tall, two feet wide, and a foot deep.
According to Wittenberg, the stone was laid horizontally on the ground with its carving face up next to one of the home’s walls. He believes that it may have been used as a step for a door when the home was first constructed in the 18th century.
On the stone itself, Wittenberg noticed a carving of a man holding a cross on his chest as well as several other religious symbols.
He immediately reported the discovery and had the stone transferred to the town of Schwerin for examination. There, experts determined that the picture stone was a 12th-century depiction of a religious figure.
This 900-year-old stone is the only picture stone featuring a figure holding a cross in front of its body, making it an invaluable historical artifact for understanding the timeline of Christianization in Northern Europe.
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The History Of Picture Stones Across Scandinavia And Germania
Wikimedia CommonsA collection of picture stones at the Gotland Museum.
Picture stones first appeared around 400 C.E. in Scandinavia and Germania and continued to be made until about 1100 C.E. Unlike their runestone counterparts, picture stones conveyed messages via images and not linguistic characters, and they were often discovered near rivers or alongside major historic roads.
According to historians, these picture stones are rare, with less than 1,000 of various shapes, sizes, and conditions existing today. Many of these stones are found in Gotland, Sweden’s largest island and a former Viking hotspot that may have been home to roughly 60 Viking settlements in its heyday.
The most recent picture stone discovered in Klotzow is one of the most unique ever discovered, in part because it was made when Christianity was spreading across the region.
Does The Newly-Unearthed Stone Depict Otto Of Bamberg?
Christian figures like Bishop Otto of Bamberg came to this region as missionaries looking to spread the Gospel. Historical accounts describe the bishop visiting Usedom, a nearby island accessible by ferry from Klotzow.
“The new find from Klotzow is the only one that could show a Christian dignitary. Klotzow is one of the historically documented ferry points to Usedom and may also have played a role in Otto von Bamberg’s missionary journeys,” state archaeologist Dr. Detlef Jantzen said in a press release.
Wikimedia CommonsA depiction of Otto of Bamberg from a Romanesque fresco in Prüfening Abbey, circa 1130 C.E.
Researchers believe that the picture stone did not originate from the land where Wittenberg’s home now stands. Instead, they believe the stone may have come from a former church or chapel in the village, or served as a ferry landing for the island of Usedom across the Peene River.
If so, it’s possible that the Christian figure carved into the picture stone is Bishop Otto of Bamberg. For now, researchers are planning to build 3D models of the stone to get a better sense of the carving and what it might represent.
“The finder deserves thanks and the highest recognition for reporting his find immediately,” said Minister of Culture Bettina Martin. “The experts from the State Office for Culture and Monument Preservation and the lower monument protection authority will now take care of securing and further examining this unique find.”
After reading about the picture stone, dive into the story of the mysterious dancing plague that overtook towns in the Holy Roman Empire in 1508. Then, read about the Heavener Runestone that could prove that the Vikings made it to Oklahoma.
