World's Oldest Rune Stone in Norway Reveals Possible Female Origin

svingerud, norway - Archaeologists in Norway reconstruct the world's oldest runic stone, possibly with a female mark, shedding light on early runic script origins.

Discovery of the Oldest Runic Stone

Archaeologists in Norway have successfully reconstructed the oldest runic stone ever discovered, shedding light on the early origins of runic script. The stone, found in Svingerud, north of Oslo, dates back to a time even before our current era, making it a significant archaeological find.

Runes, the oldest form of script in Scandinavia, are believed to have originated around two thousand years ago, possibly inspired by the Roman alphabet used in trade. The recent discovery challenges previous beliefs about the timeline of runic script emergence.

The stone, measuring approximately 30 by 30 centimeters, is believed to have once marked a single grave but was later fragmented and reused in subsequent burials. Among the inscriptions, researchers have identified what appears to be the name of a woman, hinting at the possibility of the earliest known female runic writer leaving her mark on the stone.

Runologist Kristel Zilmer commented on the significance of the find, stating that the age of runic stones in Norway and Sweden may be much older than previously thought, highlighting the need for further research and exploration in the field of runology.