Archaeologists have unearthed the “world’s oldest runestone,” a squat block of sandstone with etchings scribbled across its flat surface.
The ancient stone, which archaeologists unearthed in Norway, could contain the earliest example of “words recorded in writing in Scandinavia.” They made the find in late 2021 while excavating a gravesite in Tyrifjorden, a town west of Oslo. Radiocarbon dating of items collected at the site, including charred bones and charcoal, determined that the runestone was likely carved sometime between A.D. 1 and 250, according to a statement (opens in new tab).
Measuring 12.2 by 12.6 inches (31 by 32 centimeters), the runestone has multiple inscriptions containing runes, letters related to the Germanic alphabet. Eight runes on the front of the stone read “idiberug,” which researchers think could refer to a specific person or family. However, experts are still deciphering many of the etchings, since some don’t appear to “make linguistic sense,” according to The Associated Press (opens in new tab).
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“Without a doubt, we will obtain valuable knowledge about the early history of runic writing,” Kristel Zilmer (opens in new tab), a runologist and professor at the Museum of Cultural History, which is part of the University of Oslo, told The Associated Press.
The stone has been dubbed Svingerudsteinen (or the “Svingerud Stone”) after the gravesite where it was unearthed.
“This find will give us a lot of knowledge about the use of runes in the early Iron Age,” Zilmer told The Associated Press. “This may be one of the first attempts to use runes in Norway and Scandinavia on stone.”
The Svingerud Stone will be on display for a month beginning Jan. 21 at the Museum of Cultural History in Oslo.