This flake from the face of a slab was found in a garden adjoining the churchyard to the north in 1911. It shows part of the interlace decorating the shaft of a cross; in the panel to the right is a robed female figure with long braided hair, holding in her hand a four-pronged spear or staff. Below her is a tethered horse, on whose back is either a saddle or a pack.
It is tempting to interpret the woman as Hyndla, the wise-woman, and the horse as Grani bearing Sigurd’s treasure, but both may have meanings unassociated with Norse mythology.
The edge carries an inscription, but only the broken tops of a few runes now remain, which have been translated as, ‘…in memory of Mu…’
Early Medieval
Found Kirk Michael Churchyard, Michael, Michael, Isle of Man
iMuseum (Manx National Heritage)
Cross was scanned in situ with the result that some surfaces could not be captured or photographed.
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