Steles

Steles are funeral monuments in sandstone, limestone or marble, standing upright on the ground. Most are disc-shaped, although there are also rectangular and anthropomorphic examples. They contain Christian and pagan images and symbols, as well as geometric and plant motifs and, to a lesser extent, human figures, animals and utensils (ploughs, tools, weapons, etc.).

Steles can be found in many regions of the world, some dating back to ancient times. There are abundant examples of Basque steles dating from the Middle Ages to the nineteenth century. The great majority are disc-shaped. They were usually erected in graveyards at the head of the tomb. Steles erected next to paths or in other places usually indicate the location of a sudden or violent death.

The Provincial Government of Gipuzkoa's collection of steles includes fourteen pieces, nine from the Manuel Laborde Werlinden collection and five from the collection of Antxon Agirre Sorondo, a well-known researcher of the subject.

Bibliography:

STM San Telmo Museoa : Guía. [San Sebastián] : San Telmo Museoa, D.L. 2013. 42-44.

Aguirre Sorondo, A. Estelas discoidales en Gipuzkoa: origen y significado. Donostia-San Sebastián: Sociedad Guipuzcoana de Ediciones y Publicaciones, 1991. 127

Aguirre Sorondo, A. Antropología de la estela funeraria: repaso de la cuestión e hipótesis de interpretación. Cuadernos de etnología y etnografía de Navarra, 1995.65, 107-126.

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