The Viking Age saw thousands of inscribed stones erected across Northern Europe, most abundantly in Sweden. These runestones \u2013 typically raised granite slabs carved with Viking runes \u2013 stand today as enduring voices from the past. They memorialize family members, proclaim land and lineage, and record both the deeds and beliefs of Norse society. In Scandinavia roughly three thousand runestones survive, overwhelmingly clustered in Sweden. Uppland County (northern Stockholm region) alone has over 1,300 stones, and the Swedish National Heritage Board has mapped more than 6,500 Viking Age inscriptions across Scandinavia. These stones were often painted and publicly visible; as one museum notes, rune stones were erected near roads and bridges to catch travelers\u2019 eyes. In sum, each runestone provides a direct historical text \u2013 naming people, voyages, and beliefs \u2013 that brings us very close to Viking society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bottom line:<\/em> Walk among the stones and you walk through true Viking-era texts in the landscape. Each carving in the field speaks to posterity \u2013 a personal story of family, faith and heritage carved in stone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A runestone is fundamentally a raised stone slab inscribed with runic letters. In practice, the term applies to those carved mostly between about 800 and 1200 AD in Viking Age Scandinavia. Typical memorial runestones are granite (sometimes gneiss or sandstone) pillars 1\u20133 meters tall, set on a natural boulder or worked base. The text is cut into the stone, and originally the runes were often painted (red or black) to stand out. Many stones were coated with whitewash and decorated in bright colors \u2013 a vivid billboard of memory and status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Runestones usually carry memorial inscriptions: \u201cX had this stone raised in memory of Y, his [father\/mother\/brother]\u2026\u201d<\/em>. They often stand by ancient roads, bridges or churchyards for maximum visibility. The National Museum of Denmark notes that rune stones were meant to be visible to travelers, often placed at roads or bridges. Indeed, many survivors are located roadside or in village centers. Churches occasionally contain runic fragments reused from older stones, a sign that these monuments were once plentiful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n – Memorial runestones:<\/strong> The norm in Viking Scandinavia. These bear a carved inscription around decorative elements (like serpentine beasts or ropelike bands), often with a Christian cross or prayer on 11th-century stones. A runestone should not be confused with a small amulet or runic-inscribed object (those exist, but are personal items). Here we focus on the standing stones. If you see a mossy granite slab with Old Norse inscriptions in Sweden, Denmark or Norway, you\u2019ve likely found a Viking memorial stone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The runic alphabet on these stones changed over time. The Elder Futhark (24 runes) was used mainly before 800 AD. The vast majority of Scandinavian stones, however, are carved in the Younger Futhark (16 runes) \u2013 the Viking Age script. This meant fewer characters to express sounds, so context is needed to interpret some runes (e.g. one rune could stand for both u and o).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chronologically, runestones appear from the late 8th or early 9th century, peaking in the 10th\u201311th centuries. By about 900 AD all inscriptions use Younger Futhark, and after ~1100 they taper off. For example, in Denmark the last known stone is c.1200. Over this period the Old Norse language also evolved, but since inscriptions use formulaic language (names, relationships, titles) we can generally transliterate and translate them accurately. Modern publications like the Rundata database provide a line-by-line transliteration, Old Norse text and English rendering for each stone. The main linguistic challenges are that medieval carvers often left out short vowels and used unconventional spellings, but those issues are well-understood by runologists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After 1200 AD, runic writing in Scandinavia survives only in specialized forms (like Dalecarlian runes used rurally), so runestones capture essentially the end of a millennium-long tradition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Runestones were commissioned by prominent families (farm chieftains, warriors, rulers) and carved by runemasters \u2013 craftsmen who could both carve and write runes. By the 11th century runestone carving had professionalized somewhat. Inscriptions often record the carver\u2019s name. For example, in Uppland we find many stones signed by famous runemasters: Balle (who signed 24 stones), \u0152pir (about 50 signed stones, and 100 more attributed), \u00c5smund, Vis\u00e4te, Fot, and others. These craftsmen sometimes traveled; their names appear across regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Technically, raising and inscribing a stone was a multi-person effort. The patrons chose a suitable rock, hauled it upright (an engineering task), and then the runemaster carved it. Archaeological experiments confirm that stones were carved with iron chisels and hammers, in a three-step process: rough shaping, smoothing the face, and chiseling the rune lines. This is why the lettering is relatively shallow and regular. No pneumatic drills or power tools were available of course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Patronage: Often a widow or son commissioned the stone (the inscription will say \u201cso-and-so raised this in memory of her father,\u201d for example). One Uppland stone (U 687) is noteworthy because it was raised by a woman for her husband, showing that women could honor kin this way. The stones therefore reflect local elite networks: wealthy families paid for them. The cost and effort suggest runestones were prestigious displays of memory and wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most runic texts follow a standard memorial formula. The typical inscription (in Old Norse) is something like: \u201cX raised this stone in memory of Y, his [relationship]<\/em>.\u201d For example, many Swedish stones begin \u201cX let r\u00e6isa stein \u00feennsa at Y, sun sinn<\/em>\u201d (\u201cX had this stone raised in memory of Y, his son\u201d). These records name the deceased, the sponsor, and the relationship. The stone may also include titles or deeds (\u201che was a good thegn,\u201d \u201cdied in battle,\u201d etc.). Often the last line of a Viking Christian stone invokes a prayer, e.g. \u201cGu\u00f0 hjalpi hans ande\u201d<\/em> (\u201cMay God help his spirit\u201d), and a cross is carved prominently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The inscriptions can usually be translated with precision by experts. Each rune is transliterated (converted to Latin letters), yielding an Old Norse text. Rundata entries for each stone give an English translation. For example, a translation might read: \u201cRagnvaldr had this stone raised in memory of J\u00f4rundr, his brother. May God help his soul.\u201d<\/em> A few stones even include short poems or alliterative verses (the Karlevi stone\u2019s stanza is famous). Some have curses warning against defacement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because the phrasing is so formulaic, most texts are straightforward. The main pitfalls are: wear on the stone can obscure letters, unusual spellings require scholarship, and the 16-rune alphabet forces creative spelling (like double letters or runes representing multiple sounds). But in practice any tourist reading a properly transliterated inscription will get the sense right. For example, the Simris runestone\u2019s English notes at the site paraphrase: \u201cBj\u01ebrngeirr raised this stone in memory of Hrafn, his brother; he was Gunnulfr\u2019s thegn in Sweden\u201d, showing how names and roles come through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Runestones are also art. The carving style helps date them. Early (c.980\u20131015) stones are RAK style (plain text bands, no animal heads). Later 11th-century stones show elaborate animal forms: these are classed as Ringerike<\/em> (Pr1\u2013Pr2) and Urnes<\/em> (Pr3\u2013Pr5) styles. In Ringerike style, the runic band often ends in a beast\u2019s head carved in profile; Urnes style has ultra-slim, intertwined serpents. Spotting these features helps date and connect stones to broader Viking art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Common motifs<\/strong> on runestones include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n As one shifts gaze between runes and pictures on a stone, one reads a layer of cultural coding: e.g. a cross tells of the Christian faith, a masked face or twisted dragon recalls heathen myth. In short, stones were carefully \u201ccomposed\u201d \u2013 from the alphabet to the images \u2013 to convey status, belief and identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n R\u00f6k Runestone (\u00d6sterg\u00f6tland, Sweden \u2013 Rundata \u00d6g 136).<\/strong> Erected c.800\u2013850 AD, it bears the longest known runic inscription on any stone<\/em>. Raised by a man named Varinn for his son (likely named V\u00e1mod), it contains about 760 runes of poetic lore. The text is famously cryptic \u2013 it mentions legendary figures (like King Theodoric) and mythic puzzles. R\u00f6k is often described as \u201cthe first piece of written Swedish literature\u201d. Linguists and historians study it for what it reveals about Viking-age ideology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Visiting:<\/strong> The R\u00f6k stone stands beside R\u00f6k Church near \u00d6desh\u00f6g. Today it is protected under a wooden shelter to slow erosion. Visitors can walk around it (reading aids are posted). The stone\u2019s several sides are carved, so you may need to move to see all runes. There is an information panel nearby with an English translation. For photography, it\u2019s best lit in the morning or late afternoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jelling Stones (Jutland, Denmark \u2013 Rundata DR 41\u201342).<\/strong> Two massive stones from c.965 AD raised by King Harald Bluetooth<\/em>. One (DR 41) declares: \u201cKing Harald ordered these runes to be made in memory of Gorm, his father, and Thyra, his mother\u2026 Harald who won for himself all of Denmark and Norway and made the Danes Christian.\u201d<\/em>. The smaller stone (DR 42) by Harald\u2019s father simply commemorates Queen Thyra. These stones boldly proclaim the founding of the Danish kingdom and the conversion to Christianity. They\u2019re often called Denmark\u2019s \u201cbirth certificate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Visiting:<\/strong> The stones stand in the Jelling churchyard, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. They are on open display and have translation plaques. Nearby is a visitor center on Viking kings. The stones are easy to photograph at eye level. The larger stone\u2019s runes are clear; on sunny days use indirect light to reduce shadows. They are a must-see for Viking history, and every year thousands visit Jelling\u2019s park to see Harald\u2019s message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Raised c.1050 AD near Uppsala, this stone is known for its vivid imagery. It portrays a hunting scene rather than serpentine bands: a mounted warrior spears an elk, accompanied by hunting dogs and a falcon (perhaps representing Odin\u2019s birds). Another figure skis with a bow (possibly the god Ullr). The runic text is carved along a broad animal band at the left, dating it to around 1050.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Visiting:<\/strong> Found at Balingsta Church, south of Uppsala. It stands without enclosure by the roadside. The relief carvings are three-dimensional and best seen by circling the stone. The colors (dogs, elk) are still partially visible. There\u2019s usually a sign with a brief translation. Time of day matters \u2013 side lighting reveals the relief depth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A 10th-century monument at Horne, near Faaborg. Inscribed by a woman Ragnhild<\/em> for her husband. It contains 210 runes, Denmark\u2019s longest text. The message includes poetic sections and invokes the god Thor: \u201c\u00de\u00f3rr g\u00f8r r\u00e6isa \u00feennsa runa\u0280\u201d<\/em> (Thor hallow these runes). It ends with a curse on anyone who would destroy the stone \u2013 a rare example of Viking magical thinking on a memorial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Visiting:<\/strong> The stone stands in a small fence at Horne Church on Funen. Signs provide the translation and explain the Thor invocation. It is well-exposed, so photograph midday or afternoon for best clarity. This is an iconic Danish runestone, showing the persistence of Norse religion in a Christian era. Nearby you can also see Viking Age museum exhibits in Odense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An ~1050 AD stone from southern Sweden, notable for its text. Inscribed by Bj\u01ebrngeirr<\/em> for his brother Hrafn<\/em>, it says Hrafn was \u201cGunnulfr\u2019s thegn in Swe\u00feiu\u00feu<\/em>\u201d \u2013 one of the earliest rune-occurrences of the name Sweden<\/em>. The style is Urnes (slender interlaced serpents).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Visiting:<\/strong> Located by Simris Churchyard on the coast (near Ystad). It was recovered from the church wall and set up outside. The runes are clear but weathered; a plaque at the site interprets \u201cSve\u00feiu\u00feu\u201d. This stone draws historical interest for its mention of \u201cSverige.\u201d Take a camera under soft light; morning works well here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Carved around 1000 AD at Tullstorp Church. This stone strikingly depicts a full Viking ship (shields on hull, mast, and large cross on its sail). The inscription reads \u201c\u00deorulf\u00b7let\u00b7reisa\u00b7stain\u00b7\u00feansi\u2026\u201d, identifying the carver \u00deorulfr<\/em>. The Christian cross suggests 11th-c. faith, but the ship imagery is a proud Viking motif.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Visiting:<\/strong> It stands right by the road beside Tullstorp Church (near Malm\u00f6-Lund). No fence; you can approach it freely. An interpretive sign gives a short translation. Because it\u2019s quite low to the ground, visit when the sun is on its face (afternoon or a bit before). The stone\u2019s artwork makes it a highlight of Scania\u2019s runestone circuit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A stone cross with runes, carved ~1050 AD. Located by R\u00f6n\u00f6 Church, it memorializes Erik, son of Hj\u00f3lmundi<\/em>. The text (carved by runemaster \u00c5smund) runs around the cross arms and even marks Erik\u2019s grave. This monument has one of the longer preserved inscriptions in Sweden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Visiting:<\/strong> Found at a roadside turn (R\u00f6n\u00f6v\u00e4gen 1) near Skokloster. The cross-shape and runes are easily visible. An information plaque translates the Old Norse. It illustrates how runestones sometimes turned into carved crosses after conversion. Its convenience (by road) means even casual travelers often include it on Uppsala-area tours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A set of closely-related inscriptions by chieftain Jarlabanke Ingefastsson<\/em> in T\u00e4by\/Vallentuna. One famous one boasts, \u201cJarlabanki erected this stone and made this causeway for his family\u2019s inheritance in memory of himself<\/em>,\u201d essentially a self-commemoration (raising a second stone for the first). Others mark bridges and family lands; one forms part of a medieval church wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Visiting:<\/strong> These stones are clustered north of Stockholm. The Runriket<\/em> trail (managed by Stockholm tourism) starts at Jarlabanke\u2019s bridge. A self-guided loop with signposts passes by a dozen stones, including one inscribed by his wife and one by the runemaster Fot. The walk is through pine woods; bring a map (or Runkartan app).<\/p>\n\n\n\n A 10th-century \u00d6land stone known for its Old Norse poem. Its runic text includes a stanza in fornyr\u00f0islag<\/em> (an alliterative meter), purportedly spoken by a dying king. The imagery includes a sword and possibly a ship. It preserves one of the few complete Viking-age verses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Visiting:<\/strong> Located just south of the \u00d6land bridge near Karlevi church. It\u2019s outdoors by a road; look for a small signpost. The stone leans slightly. English translation is usually posted. It\u2019s an easy stop on a drive around the island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Carved ca.900 AD, this is Norway\u2019s largest runestone. Found reused in a church, it names two men (Gulli and his brother) and invokes Thor. The language is distinctly Old Norse. It stands over 1.6 m tall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Visiting:<\/strong> The Tune stone is in the Museum of Cultural History (University of Oslo). It\u2019s indoors, behind glass (so lighting is controlled). This stone shows that Norway, like Sweden, had substantial stone carving \u2013 but most Norse stones were cut down or repurposed. If you\u2019re in Oslo, the museum\u2019s Viking hall is the place to see it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A special category of runestones commemorate Norsemen who went overseas. England-runestones (about 30) say things like \u201cHe died in England<\/em>\u201d or \u201cgrew up in England<\/em>\u201d, reflecting Viking service in Anglo-Saxon armies. Similarly, about 29 runestones (often called Greece-runestones<\/em>) mention journeys to \u201cGreece\u201d<\/em> (medieval parlance for the Byzantine Empire) \u2013 these memorialize Scandinavians in the Varangian Guard. The Ingvar runestones<\/em> (26 monuments in Sweden) tell of a 1040 AD expedition down the Volga\/Caspian (\u201cSerkland\u201d). In short, these stones show Vikings in Byzantium, Kievan Rus\u2019, England and the Islamic world. They serve as pieces of a Viking travelogue carved on home soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Examples: Uppsala has a cluster of \u201cGreek\u201d stones for men who died with the Greeks. If you visit Gamla Uppsala or Gotland, look for inscriptions that say \u201cHann fell i Austarla\u2033 (fell in the East) or<\/em> \u201cHe traveled with Yngvar in Serkland.\u201d These are not separate categories but part of the larger corpus of Norse inscriptions. They demonstrate that the Viking diaspora left records from Scandinavia\u2019s doorstep to far across Europe and Asia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Runestones are nationally protected monuments. In Sweden and Denmark any removal or damage is illegal. Many important stones have been fenced or covered for conservation (the R\u00f6k stone\u2019s roof is a prime example). Heritage agencies (Riksantikvarie\u00e4mbetet in Sweden, NatMus in Denmark) monitor major sites. Preservation efforts include gentle cleaning of lichens or moss (though over-zealous scraping is avoided as it can harm patina) and controlling nearby vegetation. If a stone falls, experts document and re-erect it promptly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Common threats are environmental: acid rain and road dust can settle in carvings, and freeze-thaw cycles slowly crack the rock. Tourists must follow signage: do not touch the carvings, climb on stones, or apply rubbings (which can lift grit into the grooves). If you notice a fallen or vandalized stone, report it to the local museum \u2013 any damage to such heritage is taken very seriously. Donation-funded projects have even added protective glass panels to some stones (though purists debate this). In practice, you\u2019ll see many stones standing in open fields; treat them as fragile historical artifacts. By staying back, not chalking, and generally observing the site\u2019s rules, visitors help ensure these millennial carvings endure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes \u2013 runestones are freely visitable, and many are even on well-traveled roads. Because stones are mostly on public land (roadsides, parks, churchyards), you can approach them freely. Legal\/ethical:<\/em> Always respect property rights \u2013 if a stone is in someone\u2019s field, ask permission. Never remove fragments; by law in Scandinavia any found artifacts must be reported. Do not try to extract a buried piece even if you think it\u2019s one. If visiting churchyards, dress respectfully and avoid loud behavior. Photography is generally allowed (no special permits needed unless doing a commercial shoot).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sample itineraries:<\/strong> There are pre-planned routes. For instance:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Always wear walking shoes \u2013 many stones lie a few meters off the road in grass or woods. In summer, carry insect repellent and water. Outside major sites, there may not be cafes, so pack a picnic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Several museums display runestones or replicas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you can\u2019t travel to a stone\u2019s location, finding the stone in a museum (or a high-quality cast) is a great alternative. For example, Oslo\u2019s Museum of Cultural History<\/em> has both the Tune and Dynna inscriptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Genuine Viking runestones are easily distinguished by their age. Authentic stones show centuries of weathering, surface lichen, and carving style consistent with medieval iron chisels. In Scandinavia, virtually no new runestone \u201cdiscoveries\u201d occur \u2013 all known stones were catalogued by the 19th\u201320th centuries. Hoaxes are rare. For example, the infamous Kensington Rune Stone (Minnesota, 1898) and others like it are universally deemed modern forgeries due to anachronisms and fresh carving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If an alleged new stone appeared, experts would check: does the language match Old Norse grammar? Are the runes carved by ancient techniques (profiled chiseling) or modern tools? A tip: newly carved runes look too sharp and black; over a century old runes are dulled and have microcracks. Always view an \u201cunknown\u201d stone with skepticism, and when in doubt, consult an academic. But for typical travel purposes, all roadside Scandinavian stones are accepted as genuine Viking-Age monuments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many resources exist for beginners. Museums:<\/strong> Gamla Uppsala\u2019s exhibit guides you through rune alphabets and even lets you carve an example. Books & courses:<\/strong> Popular introductions (like Elmevik\u2019s Runskriftens hemlighet<\/em>) teach the Younger Futhark alphabet. Universities and historical societies sometimes offer short courses on runology. Online:<\/strong> The Scandinavia Runic-text Database (Rundata) has a guide to the runic alphabet. Websites like Omniglot list the runes in chart form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A practical method: memorize the 16 Younger Futhark characters and their sounds. Then take a short runic text (from Rundata or a book) and try to transliterate it back to Old Norse. Forums and Wikipedia entries can help correct you. Remember that rune carving skips some vowels; practice helps. Many travelers find it rewarding to \u201cdecode\u201d a simple memorial line or name while viewing a stone. In sum, learning runes is quite doable with online charts and a bit of practice.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Doorkruis het door sagen getekende Scandinavische landschap via de runenstenen. Deze gids onthult de verhalen die in steen gebeiteld staan \u200b\u200b\u2013 van het Zweedse Uppland (met meer dan 1300 geregistreerde runenstenen) tot de UNESCO-site Jelling in Denemarken. Het legt Vikinginscripties en -symbolen uit (draken, kruizen, de hamer van Thor) en schetst de belangrijkste monumenten (met kaarten, vertalingen en bezoekerstips). Je leert hoe runen werden gegraveerd en bewaard, hoe je de Rundata-database gebruikt en waar je runenpaden en musea kunt vinden. Of je nu een nieuwsgierige reiziger bent of een Vikingkenner, dit handboek biedt diepgaand inzicht in de Noorse cultuur en geschiedenis \u2013 een ultieme gids voor het verkennen van de letterlijke stenen van het Vikingerfgoed in Zweden, Denemarken en Noorwegen.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":68858,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8,48,5],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-63644","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-history-destinations","8":"category-culture-heritage","9":"category-magazine"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/travelshelper.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63644","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/travelshelper.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/travelshelper.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travelshelper.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travelshelper.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=63644"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/travelshelper.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63644\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travelshelper.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/68858"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/travelshelper.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=63644"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travelshelper.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=63644"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travelshelper.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=63644"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}What is a runestone? Definitions & types<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Types<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
– Picture stones:<\/strong> Found especially on Gotland (6th\u201312th c.), these are large slabs carved with mythic or daily-life scenes but no runic text<\/strong>. They serve a similar commemorative function but through imagery (e.g. gods, ships, warriors) rather than writing.
– Stave or cross stones:<\/strong> In some places, wooden or stone crosses or staves were inscribed. Examples include some early Christian stone crosses with runes (e.g. the Dynna stone in Norway). Surviving fragments suggest this was a minority practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDates, scripts & language: Elder vs Younger Futhark<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Who made runestones? Runemasters, carvers & workshops<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What runic inscriptions say (formulae & translations)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Styles, iconography and motifs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Famous runestones and their stories<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What is the R\u00f6k runestone and why is it important?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What are the Jelling stones and why are they famous?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
B\u00f6ksta Runestone (Uppland, Sweden \u2013 U 855)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Glavendrup Stone (Funen, Denmark \u2013 DR 209)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Simris Runestone (Sk\u00e5ne, Sweden \u2013 DR 344)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Tullstorp Stone (Sk\u00e5ne, Sweden \u2013 S\u00f6 54)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Erik\u2019s Cross (Uppland, Sweden \u2013 U 1173)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Jarlabanke\u2019s Stones (Uppland, Sweden \u2013 e.g. U 127, U 140)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Karlevi Runestone (\u00d6land, Sweden \u2013 \u00d6l 1)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Tune Stone (Akershus, Norway \u2013 N 65)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Varangian, England & Greece runestones: Vikings abroad<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Dating, cataloguing & academic resources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Conservation & protection of runestones<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How to visit runestones (travel planning & itineraries)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Tools for the field: maps, apps, photography tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Museums, replicas & where to see runestones indoors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Authenticity & spotting fakes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Where can I learn runes and read them myself?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n