To build the past into the house of the Lord : The re-use of runestones and early Christian grave monuments in medieval church buildings in Östergötland

In this study the medieval re-use of early Christian grave monuments and runestones in church buildings in the Swedish region of Östergötland is analysed in relation to contemporary church imagery and practices. Analysis of the practice show differences in application, especially during the early parts of the medieval period, which suggests differences in meaning. Although no single reason can explain the practice, the re-use of the monuments during the early medieval period is, in several cases, understood as different ways for the local elite to increase their social standing and for the Church to legitimise their new role as centre for social gatherings. During the later parts of the period the practice seems to be more standardised and may have become a local variation of the Church´s broader practice to re-use spolia.