Runestones

Runestones are stones sized about a half man or bigger with rune inscriptions. They were sometimes carved on a mountain wall and often raised were people could easily see them as close to bridges or crossroads. De were often used as gravestones for a dead person, not necessary buried close to the stone (he might as well have died in battle in another country). The runes were carved into the stones by full-time rune carvers or a person close to the dead one. Known rune carvers are Asmund Karesson, Livsten, Fot and Balle. The inscription usually tell us who has died, where he died and the name of the rune carver. The runestones were often made to men but there are some examples of stones both made by and for a woman. The stones often contained animals like dragons or snakes. Some of the stones contains Christian crosses and prayers.

Others probably have a function as "inheritdocuments" ensuring the owner of the farm that it will stay in his family even when he has died. The most of the Swedish stones were raised about year 1000, but the first came as early as 400. The stones was made not only in Northern countries, but also in other places the vikings traveled to (for example the Isle of Man and Great Britain). It was Sweden that had the most stones. We have about 3000 rune stones. Denmark have 200 and Norway 100. The runecarvers usually mixed several futharks on one stone, as the Germanic, the Nordic and the Anglosaxon futhark.

See also: Articles: Interview with a runecarver Magic: Creating your own runes Magic: How to use your runes Runes: Rune alphabets