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Sigurd Cross Slab (Manx Cross 122)

Archaeology

This broken slab was found in 1901 built into the masonry of a house in south Ramsey. It bears the lower part of a cross on each face.


One face is decorated with an interlace of broad and narrow bands in the form of a figure of eight, with numerous pellets. The other face depicts an early scene from the Sigurd story, showing the Norse god Loki heaving a stone at an otter as it lies on a rock devouring a salmon snatched from the pool below. The otter is a shape-shifting monster called Otr, who dies as a result. The other gods take responsibility for Loki's mischief and pay compensation to Otr's brother Fafnir, who becomes so consumed with greed that he turns into a dragon. Sigurd eventually kills Fafnir and takes his treasure, which he loads onto his horse, Grani. The incomplete figure of Grani can be seen halfway up the stone, separated by irregular interlacing, carrying the hoard of treasure on his back.

Ramsey

Connections

Book Chapters

  • Parish: Maughold
  • Sheading: Garff
  • Grid Ref: SC4550094100

Sources

  • Isle of Man Heritage Environment Record
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