Archaeologists recently discovered in Norway what is believed to be the oldest rune stone in the world. It is almost 2,000 years old, making it several hundred years older than previously known rune stones, the Museum of Cultural History (KHM) in Oslo announced on Tuesday.
The block of brown sandstone was discovered in a cemetery uncovered in the fall of 2021 near Lake Tyrifjorden, northwest of Oslo. Bone and wood remains, found in a tomb next to the stone and dated by radiocarbon analysis, suggest the runes were carved into the stone between A.D. 1 and 250, the museum says.
The discovery is “a dream come true for runologists” who study runic alphabets, according to the museum. Runic stones are inscribed stones that were usually placed on graves – especially during the Viking age. The inscription “Idiberug” can be read on the Tyrifjorden stone, which was probably intended as a tribute to the deceased who was buried in the tomb.
Expert: “Unique discovery”
Until now, stones found in Norway and Sweden dating from 300 to 400 AD have been considered the oldest rune stones, expert Kristel Zilmer told Norway’s NTB news agency. The find at Tyrifjorden is therefore a “unique find”. The stone is on display at the Museum of Cultural History in Oslo from January 21 to February 26.
Source: Krone
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