Björketorp Runestone
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". The Björketorp Runestone (DR 360 U) in Blekinge, Sweden.
It is one of the world's tallest runestones measuring 4.2 metres in height.
Inscription
The runes were made in the 6th or the 7th century and in Proto-Norse (a similar message is given on the Stentoften Runestone). It is found on two sides. The shorter message appears to say "I foresee perdition" or "prediction of perdition". The message of the other side is also debated.
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Menhirs
The runestone is paired with two high uninscribed menhirs.
Analysis
Most scholars date the inscription to the 7th century and it is carved with a type of runes that form an intermediate version between the Elder Futhark and the Younger Futhark. A characteristic example of this is the a-rune File:H-rune.gif which has the same form as the h-rune of the younger futhark. This is the rune that is transliterated with A. The k-rune, which looks like a Y is a transition form between File:Kaunan.gif and File:Long-branch Kaun.svg in the two futharks. There are quite a few intermediary inscriptions like this one. Three more are known from Blekinge, i.e. the Stentoften Runestone, the Istaby Runestone and the Gummarp Runestone, which was moved to Copenhagen and lost in the Copenhagen Fire of 1728.
The Stentoften, Istaby and Gummarp inscriptions can be identified with the same clan through the names that are mentioned on them, and the names are typical for chieftains. The Björketorp Runestone lacks names and is raised some tens of km from the others. However, it is beyond doubt that the Björketorp runestone is connected to them, because in addition to the special runic forms, the same message is given on the Stentoften Runestone.
The runestones were not carved by the same man, and so it appears that the runestone reflects a specific tradition in Blekinge during the 7th century. Compared to the Stentoften inscription, the one on the Björketorp stone has a fuller, more formal and less archaic style.[1]
Scholars are not in agreement on the purpose of the runestone. It has been suggested that the runestone is a grave and that the curse is intended to protect it. However, in 1914, there were archaeological excavations which did not present any finds either by the runestone or in the stone circle. To counter this, it has been suggested that the runestone is a Cenotaph, i.e. a memorial far from the real burial. A second suggestion is that it was a shrine for Odin or for fertility. A third suggestion is that the runestone marks a border between the Swedes and the Daner.
See also
Citations
- ↑ Schulte 2008:17.
References
- Barddal, Jóhanna: Björketorpstenens "utiar weladaude". Sydsvenska ortnamnssällskapets årsskrift 1998. pp. 7–16.
- Jacobsen, Lis & Moltke, Erik: Danmarks runeindskrifter. 1941.
- Schulte, Michael. 2008. Stylistic variation in runic inscriptions? ANF 123:5-22.
- Thorngren, Karl-Gösta: Runstenar i Blekinge. Blekingeboken 1942. pp. 63–96.
External links
- A scholarly presentation by Foteviken Template:Webarchive
- Joint Nordic database for runic inscriptions
- The Swedish National Heritage Board
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