• About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Archaeology News
  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum
Archaeology News
No Result
View All Result
Home News Archaeology

World’s oldest dated runestone found in Norway

Dario Radley by Dario Radley
January 17, 2023
A A
Share on FacebookShare on Linkedin.Share on RedditShare on Whatsapp

Archaeologists have discovered the “world’s oldest runestone,” a squat block of sandstone with etchings scribbled across its flat surface.

World's oldest dated runestone found in Norway
8 runes on the front face of the stone spell “idiberug” — possibly a woman’s name. Credit: Alexis Pantos/Museum of Cultural History/University of Oslo

The ancient stone discovered by researchers in Norway may contain the earliest example of “words recorded in writing in Scandinavia.”

During the fall of 2021, archaeologists digging a grave in eastern Norway discovered a block of red-tinged sandstone etched with spidery runes, an ancient system of writing used by Germanic peoples of northern Europe.

Radiocarbon dating of items found at the site, including charred bones and charcoal, determined that the runestone was likely carved between CE 1 and 250, making it “the earliest datable runestone in the world.”

World's oldest dated runestone found in Norway
The Svingerud stone. Credit: RexCrudelissimus

The stone, which measures 12.2 inches by 12.6 inches (31 by 32 cm), has several inscriptions. The eight runes on the front might mean ‘For Idibera,’ who could be the person buried in the pit. According to The Associated Press, experts are currently deciphering many of the etchings, since some do not appear to “make linguistic sense.”

RelatedStories

Deciphered Viking runes reveal Galloway hoard was communally owned

Deciphered Viking runes reveal Galloway hoard was communally owned

February 17, 2025
2,000-year-old knife with Denmark’s oldest runic inscription discovered on Funen

2,000-year-old knife with Denmark’s oldest runic inscription discovered on Funen

January 22, 2024

“This may be one of the first attempts to use runes in Norway and Scandinavia on stone,” Kristel Zilmer, a professor at the University of Oslo, of which the museum is part, told The publication. “This find will give us a lot of knowledge about the use of runes in the early Iron Age.”

“We needed time to analyze and date the runestone,” she said to explain why the discovery was first announced on Tuesday.

The rock dubbed the Svingerud stone after the site where it was found, will be on display for a month, starting on January 21, at the Museum of Cultural History.


Stay updated with us! Follow us on Google News, Flipboard, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Twitter, and Linkedin, and join our WhatsApp and Telegram channels for the latest in archaeology, all directly on your favorite platforms!
ShareTweetShareShareSend

You May Also Like...

Earliest use of psychoactive plant 'harmal' uncovered in ancient Arabia for health and healing
Archaeology

Earliest use of psychoactive plant ‘harmal’ uncovered in ancient Arabia for health and healing

May 24, 2025
roman-massacre-myth-at-maiden-castle-1
Anthropology

New study debunks Roman massacre myth at Maiden Castle, Britain’s iconic ‘war cemetery’

May 24, 2025
18th-century brass eagle found in Polish forest may link to Kościuszko Uprising
Archaeology

18th-century brass eagle found in Polish forest may link to Kościuszko Uprising

May 23, 2025
High-tech deep ocean mission unveils never-before-seen images of lost WWI submarine
Archaeology

High-tech deep ocean mission unveils never-before-seen images of lost WWI submarine

May 23, 2025
Sex workers in medieval brothel: infant burial reveals unexpected maternal care
Anthropology

Sex workers in medieval brothel: infant burial reveals unexpected maternal care

May 22, 2025
Rare winged Roman goddess statue unearthed near Hadrian’s Wall at Vindolanda
Archaeology

Rare winged Roman goddess statue unearthed near Hadrian’s Wall at Vindolanda

May 22, 2025

Follow us


Instagram
247K

Facebook
105K

Threads
42K

LinkedIn
12K

Twitter
6K

YouTube
1K
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

May 18, 2025
Ancient Chinese star chart dated to 2,300 years ago may be the oldest ever, challenging astronomy history

Ancient Chinese star chart dated to 2,300 years ago may be the oldest ever, challenging astronomy history

May 17, 2025
Silver amulet unearthed in Frankfurt grave Is the oldest evidence of Christianity north of the Alps

Silver amulet unearthed in Frankfurt grave Is the oldest evidence of Christianity north of the Alps

December 15, 2024
Medieval man with crippled knee reveals disability care in Sweden

Medieval man with crippled knee reveals disability care in Sweden

May 17, 2025
Ancient DNA confirms Picuris Pueblo’s ancestral link to Chaco Canyon

Ancient DNA confirms Picuris Pueblo’s ancestral link to Chaco Canyon

May 1, 2025
$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius' eruption

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius’ eruption

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado's expedition

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado’s expedition

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

Earliest use of psychoactive plant 'harmal' uncovered in ancient Arabia for health and healing

Earliest use of psychoactive plant ‘harmal’ uncovered in ancient Arabia for health and healing

May 24, 2025
roman-massacre-myth-at-maiden-castle-1

New study debunks Roman massacre myth at Maiden Castle, Britain’s iconic ‘war cemetery’

May 24, 2025
18th-century brass eagle found in Polish forest may link to Kościuszko Uprising

18th-century brass eagle found in Polish forest may link to Kościuszko Uprising

May 23, 2025
High-tech deep ocean mission unveils never-before-seen images of lost WWI submarine

High-tech deep ocean mission unveils never-before-seen images of lost WWI submarine

May 23, 2025
Sex workers in medieval brothel: infant burial reveals unexpected maternal care

Sex workers in medieval brothel: infant burial reveals unexpected maternal care

May 22, 2025

Archaeology News online magazine

Archaeology News is an international online magazine that covers all aspects of archaeology.











Categories

  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • Download
  • Game
  • News
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Paleontology
  • Quiz
  • Tours

Subscribe to our newsletter

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum

About  .  Contact  .  Donation

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved

We use cookies to improve your experience and enable functionality and security of this site. Further detail is available in our Privacy Policy. By accepting all cookies, you consent to our use of cookies and use of data.