While most of these are located in Scandinavia, particularly Sweden, there are also scattered runestones in locations that were visited by Norsemen. Runestones were usually brightly coloured when erected, though this is no longer evident as the colour has worn off.

The Viking runestones are runestones that mention Scandinavians who participated in Viking expeditions. This article treats the runestone that refer to people who took part in voyages abroad, in western Europe, and stones that mention men who were Viking warriors and/or died while travelling in the West.

The Kensington Runestone is a slab of greywacke stone covered in runes that was discovered in Western Minnesota, United States, in 1898. Olof Ohman, a Swedish immigrant, reported that he unearthed it from a field in the largely rural township of Solem in Douglas County.

The rune stones of the Viking period were erected in memory of the dead – mostly powerful people – and their honourable deeds. They were intended to be visible and were painted in bright colours.

May 15, 2023 · Norse runes are a writing system first developed by the Germanic people of Scandinavia. Learn about the history and symbolism of runes.

Feb 27, 2025 · Monumental-sized stones with runic inscriptions and decorations have been found throughout the Viking world, especially across Scandinavia. They were usually erected as memorials for the dead.

May 15, 2020 · Discover the most impressive runestones from the Viking Age and even earlier. This historic form of writing can be seen all across Scandinavia to this day. The recent discovery of several Viking ship graves in Norway has lifted interest in Viking history to new heights.

Most prominently created during the Viking Age (AD 800-AD 1050), there are over 6,000 rune stones known across Scandinavia. The museum’s replica collection consists of fairly well-known rune stones, most originating in Denmark. They can …

Mar 25, 2025 · The myths are not just tales of gods and heroes; they encapsulate the beliefs, values, and worldview of ancient Norse societies. Central to these myths are the rune stones, monumental stones inscribed with runes – characters that were used in various Germanic languages before the adoption of the Latin alphabet.

Runes were carved on stone, bone, antler, wood and metal. Runestones were big rocks covered with inscriptions of runes usually in memory of a great man or woman.