Runestone facts for kids
A Runestone or Rune stone is a large stone, with runes inscribed on it, dating from the early Middle Ages. Currently, about 6000 such stones are known to exist in Scandinavia. About half of them date from the tenth and eleventh century, and were found in Sweden. Most of them are like grave stones. They announce the life and death of a local person. About 10 percent of the known stones tell about the travels and deaths of persons abroad. Some of these texts are similar to what Scandinavians who travelled to Byzantium have written in Latin.
Images for kids
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The Lingsberg Runestone, Sweden, known as U 240
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An early runestone: the Möjbro Runestone from Hagby (first placed near Möjebro), Uppland, Sweden. As with other early runic inscriptions, (e.g. Kylver Stone from about 300–400 CE) this is written from right to left, while later Runestones were written from left to right. The text is "Frawaradaz anahaha is laginaz".
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The Snoldelev stone, one of the oldest runestones in Denmark
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The Stenkvista runestone in Södermanland, Sweden, shows Thor's lightning hammer instead of a cross. Only two such runestones are known.
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The Mask Stone (DR 66) found in Aarhus, Denmark commemorates a battle between two kings and features a stylized depiction of a mask.
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Piraeus Lion drawing of curved lindworm. The runes on the lion tell of Swedish warriors, most likely Varangians, mercenaries in the service of the Byzantine (Eastern Roman) Emperor.
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The Kälvesten Runestone, Sweden
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The Djulafors Runestone, Sweden
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The Yttergärde Runestone, Sweden
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The Valleberga Runestone, Sweden, reports that two Vikings had died in London.
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Modern runestone on Adelsö near Stockholm, Sweden
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The Jelling stones which triggered the great runestone trend in Scandinavia
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The Kingittorsuaq Runestone from Greenland
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Runestone from Tirsted in the National Museum of Denmark
See also
In Spanish: Piedra rúnica para niños
