28 CUP-SHAPED AND OTHER LAPIDARIAN SCULPTURES. 



Fergiisson is even inclined to ascribe to the stone chamber in question a 

 still more recent origin.* 



Sculptures on rocks in situ are not found in Denmark, because, as Dr. 

 Petersen states, rock-formations suitable for their execution are, excepting 

 perhaps the Island of Boruholm, wanting within the present limits of the 

 Kingdom of Denmark (page 332), 



SWEDEN. 



The primitive sculptures forming the subject of this essay are, so far 

 as variety is concerned, j^erhaps better represented in the territory of 

 Sweden than in any other part of Europe. Simple cup-cuttings on erratic 

 blocks are not wanting in that country; but cups also occur there among 

 the more elaborate figures engraved on boulders and stones of megalithic 

 structures as well as on natural rock-formations. 



Reference was made on a preceding page to the Baal or Balder Stone, 

 at Ranten, near Falkoping, in the Lan of Mariestad. This block was first 

 described by Professor Sven Nilsson, who states that it is a granite boulder 

 from six to seven feet in length, oval in shape, and more than three feet high. 

 On the upper slightly convex surface are numerous cup-cuttings of unequal 

 size, the largest of which occupies nearly the centre; and a projection near 

 the base of the block exhibits additional cup-like excavations. lig. 22 is a 

 copy of Professor Nilsson's representation of the stone.f He is of opinion that 

 this block and others of the same description served as sacrificial altars in 

 the worship of Baal or Balder, which, he thinks, was at one time prevalent 

 in the North of Europe; and that the cup-shaped cavities were designed for 

 the reception of the blood of the victims. This view will be considered in 

 another pai;t of this essay. A cup-stone in the Lan of Halland is figured 

 in the "Matdriaux" for 18'(8 (on page 268); another in the "Archiv fiir 

 Anthropologic" (Vol. XII, page 106). The latter, which was found near 



*Fergusson: Kudo Stono Monuments, etc.; p. 303. 



t Nilsson: Die Urcinwoliner rtcs Scantlinavisclieu Nordcus; das Bronzcalter; aus dem Schwo- 

 dischou ubersetzt ; Hambuig, 18U6 ; Nachtrag, S. 45. 



