The Svingerud Runestone: unveiling the world’s oldest rune stone
- Julia
- Jan 2
- 22 min read
Hello! I’m excited to share the story of the Svingerud Runestone, a discovery that has amazed archaeologists and language enthusiasts alike. As someone fascinated by ancient history, I was thrilled to learn about this small sandstone slab inscribed almost 2,000 years ago – the oldest known runestone in the world. In this article, I’ll walk you through its historical context, how it was found, and what those mysterious runes might mean, all in an accessible, friendly tone.
Before we dive in, here are some key highlights about the Svingerud Runestone:
World’s Oldest Rune Stone: Carved roughly between 50 BCE and 250 CE (about 1–250 AD), it predates other known runestones by several centuries.
Discovered in Norway: Unearthed at Svingerud in Hole municipality (near Tyrifjorden, ~40 km northwest of Oslo) during 2021–2023 excavations.
Historical Importance: Provides the earliest datable example of runic writing on stone, offering a rare glimpse of early literacy in Iron Age Scandinavia.
Multiple Inscriptions: The stone has several short rune sequences, including what looks like a personal name (“idiberug”) and even the first letters of the runic alphabet.
Linguistic Clues: Written in Proto-Norse using Elder Futhark runes (the oldest runic alphabet), the texts are still being deciphered but hint at female names and phrases like “I ... wrote the runes”.
With those points in mind, let’s explore the full story of the Svingerud Runestone from its ancient origins to its modern discovery.
Historical context: runestones and the dawn of runic writing
To appreciate the Svingerud Runestone, it helps to know the broader history of rune stones and runic writing. Runes are the characters of an old alphabet (the Elder Futhark) used by Germanic peoples during the Iron Age and Viking Age. They were typically carved onto wood, metal, stone, or bone. Historically, when people think of runestones, they imagine Viking Age memorial stones (circa 800–1000 AD) standing tall with long inscriptions.
However, runic writing actually began much earlier – around the first centuries AD – and not all runic texts were on big monuments.
Early Runic Inscriptions: The very first runic inscriptions appear around the 1st–2nd century AD on small objects. For example, a comb from Vimose in Denmark (c. 160 AD) bears one of the earliest known runic words (“harja”), and various weapon fittings and personal items from the Roman Iron Age have short runic engravings. These early inscriptions are usually brief (often just a name or single word) and give us a peek at the birth of literacy in northern Europe. Scholars believe the runic script was likely adapted from Old Italic or Latin alphabets by Germanic tribes interacting with the Roman world.
Rise of Rune Stones: Carving longer texts onto stone seems to have been rarer in those earliest centuries. Before the Svingerud find, only a few runic stones from the 3rd–5th centuries AD were known. One prominent example is the Einang stone from Valdres, Norway, dated to around the late 3rd or 4th century. Its inscription reads “ek gudagastiz runo faihidō” – “I, Gudagastiz, wrote the runes” – indicating it was carved by a person named Gudagast. This shows that by 300–400 AD, the practice of raising rune-inscribed stones (perhaps as memorials) had begun. Another early stone is the Kylver stone from Sweden (c. 400 AD), famous for having an inscription of the entire Elder Futhark alphabet in order. These finds were the benchmarks for the oldest runestones – until Svingerud came along.
A New Timeline: The Svingerud Runestone, dating to around the 1st or 2nd century AD, pushes the timeline of runestone carving back by at least 150–200 years. It suggests that people in Scandinavia were experimenting with carving runes on stone much earlier than we previously confirmed. This historical context is huge – it means the tradition of runestones didn’t suddenly emerge in the 4th or 5th century, but has roots stretching into the first centuries of the Common Era (the Roman Iron Age). Essentially, we’re catching a glimpse of the dawn of runic writing in Scandinavia. As a history buff, I find this incredibly exciting – it’s like opening a new chapter in the story of the runes.
Discovery of the Svingerud Runestone
The story of how the Svingerud Runestone was found is an archaeological adventure on its own. It wasn’t a random find by a farmer or hiker; it emerged through a careful excavation at an ancient burial ground. Let me set the scene:
Svingerud is the name of a site in Hole municipality, Buskerud County, Norway, near the Tyrifjorden lake. The area contained an Iron Age grave field with several burial mounds and flat graves. In 2021, archaeologists from the Museum of Cultural History (University of Oslo) were excavating this site – partly as a routine check ahead of a road construction project. Under one of the burial mounds, they discovered an older cremation grave (a “flat” grave without its own mound) containing burnt bone fragments and charcoal. Lying within this grave, almost unnoticed at first, was a slab of reddish sandstone about 31 × 32 cm in size – roughly a foot across. Little did they know at first that this unassuming rock was inscribed with runes.
As the team carefully cleaned the dirt off the stone, shallow scratch-like markings became visible on one face. Some marks looked like random lines, but others clearly formed recognizable runic characters. The archaeologists realized they had something extraordinary: a rune-inscribed stone in a grave. Steinar Solheim, the project’s lead archaeologist, recalled that when they found it, “we had no idea there was a rune stone there” until the post-excavation analysis revealed the inscriptions. Imagine the excitement of that moment – the first person to read those faint runes in perhaps two millennia!
Over the next two years, excavations yielded more pieces of the same stone from the vicinity. It turned out that the original stone had broken into multiple fragments across different graves:
In 2021, the main inscribed piece (later labeled “Hole 2”, a.k.a. the Svingerud stone) was found in grave A4367, as mentioned above. Nearby, another large sandstone piece (Hole 1), with no clear runes, was found in a second grave (A1790). Hole 1 was heavier (~67 kg) and positioned vertically with support stones, suggesting it might have been the base of a standing stone.
In 2022, archaeologists discovered additional fragments with runes north of grave A4367. Three smaller pieces matched the features of the first stone, and one had legible runes. These fragments fit together to form another portion of the inscription, called “Hole 3.” Furthermore, a few fragment bits found earlier were realized to connect the ends of the Hole 3 runic sequence. By fitting fragments together, the team saw that Hole 1, Hole 2, and Hole 3 were all parts of the same original stone slab. This was a crucial insight: instead of multiple small runestones, they actually had one large rune stone that had been broken apart in antiquity.
In 2023, the team went even further by sieving the soil from the site. This diligent work paid off – about 160 tiny sandstone pieces (under 2 cm each) were recovered. A couple of these tiny bits even filled gaps in the Hole 3 inscription. By early 2023, they had identified 12 main fragments of the stone (collectively weighing ~107 kg) that could be reassembled like a puzzle. Large sections were still missing, but it was enough to understand much of the stone’s layout and text.
To summarize this discovery process, I’ve put together a brief timeline:
Discovery timeline of the Svingerud Runestone
Date | Discovery Milestone |
Fall 2021 | Initial discovery – Archaeologists uncover the main rune-inscribed fragment (later dubbed “Svingerud stone” or Hole 2) in a cremation grave at Svingerud. The stone’s runes are recognized, marking it as a sensational find – potentially the oldest runestone on record. |
Summer 2022 | Further excavations – Additional sandstone fragments with runic carvings (Hole 3) are found nearby. Along with a larger uninscribed base piece (Hole 1) from an adjacent grave, these pieces are determined to fit together with the 2021 fragment, indicating they all came from one original stone. |
2023 | Recovery of small pieces – Systematic sieving yields ~160 small fragments. These include two bits that complete more of the Hole 3 inscription. In total, 12 major fragments (weighing ~107 kg) are assembled, confirming the stone’s overall size and that it had been deliberately broken in antiquity. Researchers continue to digitally reconstruct the stone and its text. |
January 2023 | Public reveal – The find is announced to the world as the “Svingerudsteinen.” The Museum of Cultural History in Oslo places the stone on public exhibition from January 21 to February 26, 2023, drawing huge interest as visitors see the world’s oldest rune stone up close. |
Late 2023–2025 | Ongoing research – Experts in runology and archaeology analyze the inscriptions and context. A detailed study is published, confirming the stone’s age (1st–2nd century AD) and discussing its runes in depth. The Svingerud Runestone’s discovery prompts new questions and research into early runic writing. |
As shown above, what began as a single lucky find in 2021 expanded into a complex puzzle by 2023. It’s remarkable that the team was able to gather so many pieces and essentially reconstruct a shattered runestone. This also hints at an intriguing backstory: the stone was broken on purpose long ago. Why would someone smash a rune stone and scatter it in different graves? Let’s explore that in the next section.
Archaeological significance and context
From an archaeological perspective, the Svingerud Runestone is a treasure trove of information. It’s not just the oldest runestone – it’s also one of the very few found in a clear archaeological context with organic remains that allow precise dating. Let’s break down why this matters and what we’ve learned about the stone’s original use.
Secure Dating (50 BCE–250 CE): The burial context provided charcoal and cremated human bones right alongside the stone. These remains were radiocarbon dated, giving a timeframe between roughly 50 BCE and 250 CE for the grave and thus the rune stone’s carving. In plainer terms, the stone was inscribed about 1,800 to 2,000 years ago, in what archaeologists in Norway call the Roman Iron Age. This makes the Svingerud stone “the earliest datable runestone found so far”. For comparison, many previously known early runestones (like Einang or Kylver) had to be dated indirectly or approximately, often with wider uncertainty. Here we have a rare case where we can confidently say, “This stone was carved around the 1st or 2nd century AD,” thanks to the associated cremation’s dates.
Context in a Grave Field: The stone was found in a cremation grave, meaning it likely had a funerary purpose. In that period, a typical burial ritual would involve burning the body on a pyre, then collecting the ashes, bone fragments, and possibly charcoal from the pyre, and placing them in a pit or urn which is then buried. The Svingerud grave (A4367) followed this pattern. The presence of the inscribed stone in the grave suggests it could have been a grave marker or memorial stone for the deceased individual whose remains were buried with it. It might have originally stood upright above the grave (as Hole 1’s position hints), and later fell or was moved.
A Stone Reused and Broken: One of the most fascinating (and puzzling) aspects is that the stone was broken into pieces and distributed among at least two graves. The evidence indicates that Hole 1 was the lower portion planted in an older grave (A1790), and Hole 2 (with most of the runes) was a top piece that ended up in the later grave A4367. Meanwhile, bits of Hole 3 were found in the soil between graves. Archaeologists believe the stone initially stood as one piece – perhaps marking grave A1790 – but was later intentionally split apart and reused in subsequent burials.
Why would this happen? One theory is that the stone may have commemorated a family ancestor, and when new burials (possibly of family members) took place nearby, pieces of the ancestral stone were shared or transplanted into those graves as a way to link them together. The researchers noted this “offers a viable explanation for why it appears to have been written on by more than one person” – perhaps each new inscription was added by a different person as the stone was reused. It’s almost like an evolving memorial that multiple generations contributed to.
However, the specific reason for breaking the stone remains unclear. It could be ritualistic, or simply practical (maybe the stone accidentally broke and they repurposed the pieces). This enigma makes the find even more intriguing. As I imagine it, each fragment had its own journey: one remained as a base, another was carefully placed in a later grave, others were scattered. The archaeologists piecing it back together in our time is poetic in a way – reuniting something that ancient people had separated.
Roman Iron Age Norway: Let’s zoom out for a moment – what was happening in Norway around 1–250 AD? This era is called the Roman Iron Age because although Norway was far outside the Roman Empire, Roman influence reached Scandinavia through trade and warfare (think of Roman bronze artifacts, coins, or weapons turning up in the north). Local society was illiterate before runes, so the creation of the runic alphabet around the 1st century AD was revolutionary. The Svingerud stone likely belongs to a period when runes were a new technology. Only a small educated elite (perhaps chieftains or those who traveled south) might know how to carve and read them. This stone shows that by the early centuries AD, people in what is now Norway had begun to adopt writing – albeit in a limited, experimental way – and use it in ritual contexts like burials.
From an archaeological view, the Svingerud Runestone provides a tangible link to that transitional time. It’s an artifact of communication, not just a decorative item. And because it’s the only runestone found directly in a datable grave context, it sets a crucial reference point for the chronology of runic inscriptions. Kristel Zilmer, a runologist on the project, highlighted that “we have had few reliable points of reference” for dating early rune stones until now. This find “could change the timeline for rune stones in Norway” by providing that much-needed reference. It even suggests that other famous early stones (like the Tune or Hogganvik stones found without clear context) might potentially be as old or older than assumed.
In sum, archaeologically, the Svingerud stone is like a time capsule from the Scandinavian Iron Age – one that we can date, contextualize, and read (at least partially). Now, let’s turn to that last part: what do the runes actually say?
Linguistic insights: deciphering the runes on Svingerud
Reading the inscriptions on the Svingerud Runestone has been a thrilling challenge for linguists and runologists. Remember, these are Elder Futhark runes – the earliest runic alphabet with 24 characters, used from roughly the 2nd through 8th centuries. The language of the text is an early form of Proto-Norse, the ancestor of Old Norse (and later Scandinavian languages) spoken during the Roman Iron Age. But because this stone is so early in the runic timeline, the carvers were essentially pioneers of writing – their spelling and technique were not standardized and often experimental. Let’s explore the main inscriptions identified on the stone and what they could mean.
Close-up of the main inscription on the Svingerud stone, reading “ᛁᛏᛁᛒᛂᚱᚢᚵ” (transliterated as idiberug). The runes are shallowly carved, reflecting an early attempt at writing on stone.
Experts have discerned several distinct sequences of runes on the stone’s surfaces, thanks to the multiple fragments. Here are the key inscriptions and interpretations:
Runic Inscription | Transliteration | Possible Meaning or Interpretation |
ᛁᛏᛁᛒᛂᚱᚢᚵ | idiberug | Likely a personal name. Researchers think it could represent Idibergu or Idibera, possibly a female name. The name might mean “Idiberga,” combining Idi- (perhaps “everlasting” or an intensifier) and -bergu (“protection/help”). If so, this could be the name of the person commemorated by the stone or a dedication “for Idibera.” Another theory is that an unseen final rune made it idiberungaz, meaning “descendant of Idibera,” implying a kin name. Either way, Idibera/Idibergu is a plausible ancient Germanic name – a remarkable find if that’s indeed what it is. |
ᚠᚢᚦ | fuþ | These are the first three letters of the Elder Futhark rune-row: F, U, Þ (th). Carved together, fuþ is basically the start of the “ABCs” of the runic alphabet (which is named futhark after its first six letters). This sequence on the stone suggests that the carver knew the runes as an ordered set. It might be an attempt to write out the entire alphabet (though only F-U-Þ are preserved) or simply practice. Notably, the oldest known full futhark inscription was previously on the Kylver Stone (~400 AD); finding fuþ on Svingerud indicates such knowledge existed a couple of centuries earlier. It’s as if someone started writing “ABC…” on the stone in rune form – a fascinating glimpse into early runic literacy. |
ᛖᚲ ... ᚠᚨᚺᛁᛞᛟ: ᚱᚢᚾᛟ | ek ... fahido : runo | This longer sequence is partially preserved on the Hole 3 fragments. It has been interpreted as “Ek {…} fahidō runō”, which translates to “I, {Name}, wrote (or painted) the runic inscription”. The formula “ek ... runo faihido” is known from other early inscriptions (like the Einang stone’s “I, Gudagast, wrote the runes”). Here the personal name is fragmentary – possibilities include Gullu/Wullu or Skullu – with a likely reading being “Ek Gullu fahidō runō,” meaning “I, Gullu, wrote the runes.” If Gullu is correct, it might derive from a Proto-Germanic word for “to shout” or could mean “the yelling one”. Interestingly, some scholars note this could imply a female name (as *-u endings might feminize a nickname). If a woman carved this, it would be the earliest known instance of a female runic writer. Alternatively, Wullu (“woolly one”) is another reading. In either case, this inscription clearly identifies the carver claiming authorship of the runes. The verb fahidō is especially interesting – it literally means “painted” or “colored” in Proto-Norse, but by usage it means “inscribed” (since people often painted runes on stone after carving). So the carver is essentially signing their work, saying “I [Name] made these runes.” How incredible is that? We might be hearing the voice of an ancient person directly, 2,000 years later. |
Beyond these, there are other markings on the stone that are faint or hard to interpret. Some sequences seem like jumbled consonants or repeated characters without obvious meaning. These could be attempts at writing that didn’t form complete words, or even rune-like symbols that might not be true text at all. The researchers noted ambiguous scratches that blur the line between writing and decoration. It’s a reminder that we’re looking at a very early stage of writing – the carver(s) may have been experimenting, testing the shapes of runes, or even doodling along with writing. The stone could have served partly as a training canvas for runes.
Putting it all together, the linguistic picture of the Svingerud Runestone is one of experimentation and early literacy:
We have a personal name or dedication (idiberug), which, if it indeed names a woman (Idibera), would be fitting if the stone was for a grave – it might name the deceased or the person commemorated.
We see an alphabet sequence (fuþ), evidence that the concept of a runic alphabet existed as early as this stone’s carving.
We find an inscriber’s signature (“I … wrote the runes”), showing that even at this nascent stage, runic writers sometimes proudly recorded their authorship.
Some runes are carved in unusual forms (for example, the B rune in idiberug has an atypical shape with four “pockets”), and certain sound changes in the language (like monophthongization from ai to ā in fahidō) help linguists compare it relative to other inscriptions. These details suggest the inscription might slightly post-date others or that linguistic changes were in flux.
For me, as I read about these inscriptions, I can’t help imagining the ancient carver crouched over this sandstone. Perhaps they were carving the name of a loved one, then decided to practice the new alphabet, and finally added “I wrote this” to mark their handiwork. The Svingerud Runestone speaks across millennia – in scratchy, tentative runes – showing us the moment when spoken language in Scandinavia first turned into written words on stone. It’s goosebumps-inducing to think about.
Comparing Svingerud to Other Runestones
Given its importance, you might wonder how the Svingerud stone stacks up against other rune stones historically. Let’s compare it with a few notable examples:
Runestone | Location | Approx. Date | Significance |
Svingerud Runestone (Hole 2) | Hole (Buskerud), Norway | c. 1–250 AD (Roman Iron Age) | Oldest known runestone in the world. A small red-brown sandstone slab (~31 cm) with multiple short inscriptions (Proto-Norse, Elder Futhark). Found in a grave, it contains possibly the name Idibera, the first letters of the runic alphabet, and an “I wrote these runes” phrase. Demonstrates the very early use of runes on stone and provides a firm date for early runic writing. |
Einang Stone | Valdres, Norway | c. 300–350 AD (Late Roman Iron Age) | One of the earliest runestones (still standing in its original spot). Inscription: “ek goðagastiz runo faihidō” – “I, Godagastiz, wrote the runes.” Shows a personal name and the same verb faihido as Svingerud. Provided early evidence of runic writing and the concept of authorship, but its precise dating was uncertain until context clues placed it in the 3rd–4th century. |
Kylver Stone | Gotland, Sweden | c. 400 AD (Migration Period) | Famous for its inscription of the entire Elder Futhark alphabet from ᚠ to ᛟ (f to o). Often cited as the oldest complete rune-row. It was a burial stone covering a grave. The find indicates that by the 5th century, the runic alphabet was standardized and known in full order. Svingerud’s fuþ fragment shows that this knowledge began earlier. |
Tune Stone | Østfold, Norway | c. 400–450 AD (Migration Period) | An early runestone with a lengthy inscription in Proto-Norse, found in a grave mound. It’s a memorial text (for someone’s sons) and uses elder futhark. The Tune stone was one of the longest early inscriptions, showing that by the 5th century, rune stones could carry substantial messages. Its exact age is less certain, but it’s generally 5th century. It underscores how advanced runic writing became not long after Svingerud’s time. |
Viking Age Rune Stones (general) | Scandinavia (Sweden, Denmark, Norway) | 950–1100 AD (Viking Age) | Thousands of later rune stones date to the Viking Age, typically Old Norse language in the Younger Futhark runes. These often begin “So-and-so raised this stone in memory of…” and served as memorials or markers. By this time, carving runes on stone was a widespread tradition. The Svingerud stone, by contrast, is much earlier and uses the older rune forms and language, illustrating how the practice began on a smaller scale and evolved over time. |
As this comparison shows, the Svingerud Runestone predates the other known runestones by a significant margin. The Einang and Kylver stones, which were once thought to represent the dawn of runic carving on stone, actually come a couple of centuries after Svingerud. This discovery doesn’t diminish those other stones’ importance, but it extends the runestone tradition further back. It’s a bit like finding an older edition of a famous book – it doesn’t rewrite the whole story of runes, but it adds an earlier chapter we didn’t have before.
Another point of contrast is that later runestones (Viking Age) were often taller, prominently displayed stones with longer texts, whereas Svingerud’s stone is small and was buried. It suggests that in the early phase, runic stones might have been used in more intimate settings like grave goods or modest markers, not necessarily as public monuments. Over time, the practice scaled up to the monumental memorials of the Viking Age.
Finally, Svingerud’s inscriptions are a mix of meaningful text and possibly “practice” carvings, reflecting a learning period for writing. By the Viking Age, rune carvers were highly skilled and followed conventions. So, the Svingerud stone is like capturing writing in its infancy, versus the more mature usage centuries later.
Why the Svingerud Runestone Matters
I’ve hinted at the significance of this artifact throughout the article, but it’s worth summarizing clearly why the Svingerud Runestone is such a big deal:
It’s a Record-Breaker: This is the oldest rune-inscribed stone ever found. It pushes our timeline of runic writing on stone back to around the time of the birth of Christ, whereas before, the oldest confirmed runestones were from a few centuries later. It’s a reminder that literacy in Germanic societies began earlier than we thought.
Bridging Prehistory to History: Scandinavia in the first centuries AD was prehistoric in the sense of lacking written records. The runes on Svingerud are literally among the earliest written words in Scandinavia. We’re essentially witnessing the moment Northern Europe entered the historical era (the era of written records), even if just in a few scratches.
Insight into Early Language: The inscriptions are in Proto-Norse, so they give linguistic researchers data on how the language was evolving. For example, seeing the word fahidō (wrote) with that spelling, or the name Idibergu, helps us understand sound changes and name formations in that era. It’s like hearing a very old dialect of the Norse language recorded in stone.
Cultural and Ritual Clues: That the stone was found in a cremation grave shows how runes might have been used in ritual contexts – possibly to honor the dead or to mark graves – very early on. The possible re-use of the stone for multiple burials hints at family or ancestral traditions. This find therefore informs us about Iron Age burial customs and the spiritual significance of inscribed stones (it could have served as a gravestone or had a protective/magical role given the name meaning “protection”).
Multiple Inscriptions = Multiple Authors: Unlike most runestones that have a single continuous text, the Svingerud stone has multiple short inscriptions likely carved by different individuals at different times. This is unique and suggests a communal or iterative aspect to the stone’s use. It’s almost like a message board of its day, added to over time.
Encourages Re-examining Other Finds: The discovery has prompted archaeologists to take a fresh look at other early runic objects and stones. If one runestone can be this early, perhaps there are others we haven’t recognized or properly dated. Indeed, since it provides a firm date reference, it could recalibrate assumptions about inscriptions like the Tune stone or others that lacked clear dating. It basically opens new research directions in the study of runes.
Public Fascination and Education: On a less scholarly note, this runestone has captured public imagination. It was showcased in a museum exhibit that drew crowds eager to see the runes. As a friendly narrator here, I can attest that reading about it made me feel connected to those ancient carvers. It’s sparked interest in runic heritage and shows the value of archaeological work. Who knows – maybe a future runologist is reading about Svingerud today and feeling inspired!
The Svingerud Runestone, in essence, is a small object with a big story. From its humble burial in the dirt for centuries, it’s now become a star artifact illuminating the dark ages of literacy in the North.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the Svingerud Runestone
Finally, let’s address some common questions readers have about this remarkable find:
What is the Svingerud Runestone?
It’s a small sandstone slab found in Svingerud, Norway, that bears runic inscriptions. Carved roughly 1,800–2,000 years ago, it is currently the oldest known runestone (rune-inscribed stone) ever discovered. The stone is named after the Svingerud site where it was unearthed (its formal designation in research is sometimes the “Hole 2” fragment of the Hole runestone). In short, it’s an ancient Norwegian runestone from the early Iron Age.
Why is the Svingerud Runestone so important?
Because of its age and context. It dates to around the 1st or 2nd century AD, centuries earlier than any other known runestone. This pushes back the timeline of runic writing on stone and provides a rare datable example of early. Its discovery gives scholars new insights into the development of writing, language, and burial customs in Iron Age Scandinavia. Essentially, it’s rewriting (no pun intended) a chapter of history.
How old is the Svingerud Runestone and how was that determined?
It’s about 1,900 years old. Radiocarbon dating of cremated bone and charcoal found with the stone established a date range roughly between 50 BCE and 250 CE. The archaeologists are confident the stone was deposited in that time frame because it was found in direct association with those dated burial remains. So, unlike many rune finds, we have scientific dating to back up its age.
What do the runes on the stone say?
They are still being studied, but the clearest inscription reads “idiberug”. This is likely a name, which could be interpreted as Idibera or Idibergu – possibly a woman’s name meaning “Idiberga” (with connotations of “lasting protection”). Another sequence of runes is “fuþ”, which is just the first three letters of the runic alphabet F-U-TH (imagine someone starting to carve “ABC”). And on a pieced-together fragment, there’s “ek … fahido runo”, translating to “I … wrote the runes.” We don’t know the carver’s full name from that line (it might be something like “Gullu” or “Wullu”), but it indicates the person who carved the runes is identifying themselves. There are also a few other scratches and unclear rune-like marks that experts haven’t deciphered yet, likely due to damage or the carver’s own uncertainty.
What language are these runes written in?
The inscriptions are in an early form of the Proto-Norse language, written with the Elder Futhark runic alphabet. Proto-Norse was spoken in the region roughly between the 1st–7th centuries and is the precursor to Old Norse (the language of the Viking Age). So the language on Svingerud is basically what people in Iron Age Norway spoke. It’s Germanic, related to later Norse but more archaic.
Where exactly was the runestone found?
It was found at Svingerud, which is a site in the municipality of Hole in Eastern Norway. The site is a grave field near Tyrifjorden (a lake), about 40 km northwest of Oslo. The stone was in a cremation grave beneath a burial mound – essentially part of an ancient cemetery.
Who discovered the Svingerud Runestone?
A team of archaeologists from the Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo discovered it during excavations in late 2021. The project was led by archaeologist Steinar Solheim, among others, as part of a dig before a highway/railway construction (so, a rescue archaeology situation). Once they realized it had runes, runologists like Kristel Zilmer were consulted to help interpret the text. It was a collaborative effort by experts in archaeology, runic studies, and conservation.
Is the Svingerud Runestone from the Viking Age?
No – it’s much older. The Viking Age was roughly 793–1066 AD, and most famous runestones (like those in Sweden or the Jelling stones in Denmark) come from the 10th–11th centuries AD. In contrast, the Svingerud Runestone is from the Roman Iron Age (circa 1st–2nd century). That’s around 600–800 years before the Viking Age. So it predates the Vikings by many centuries. It shows that runes were in use long before the Viking era.
How does this stone compare to other old runestones?
It is the oldest datable runestone we know of. Prior to this, runestones like the Einang stone (3rd–4th c. Norway) and some in Sweden from the 4th–5th c. were the earliest examples. Svingerud beats those by a good margin. Also, many of those early stones weren’t found with items that could be dated, so their ages were estimates; Svingerud’s date is backed by science. In terms of content, Svingerud’s short and simple inscriptions differ from, say, the longer memorial texts of the 5th century Tune stone or the very long Viking Age stones. It’s more akin to the Einang stone in content (both have that “I wrote the runes” message). But overall, Svingerud stands out because it’s older and shows a sort of “workshop” of runes – alphabet practice, a name, a signature – all on one stone.
What happened to the runestone after it was found? Can I see it on display?
After its discovery, the Svingerud Runestone (all the main fragments) was conserved and studied. The Museum of Cultural History in Oslo displayed it publicly from January 21 until February 26, 2023. Thousands of visitors came to see it during that special exhibition. As of now (2026), the stone is part of the museum’s collection. It’s not on permanent exhibit at the moment (since it was a temporary showing), but it may be displayed again in the future or made part of a dedicated exhibition on runes. If you’re planning a trip, it’s worth checking the museum’s current exhibits or contacting them to see if the Svingerud stone is accessible to view.
Have experts fully deciphered the stone now?
They’ve deciphered the most legible parts, but some portions are still debated or unclear. The “idiberug” name and “ek ... fahido runo” phrase have been identified and interpreted with some confidence. However, a few of the carved lines that don’t obviously match known rune patterns remain mysterious. Researchers are using high-resolution photography, 3D scanning, and comparisons with other inscriptions to squeeze as much info as possible from the stone. A comprehensive research article was published in 2023 detailing what they know. So, we have a good idea of the main points (name, alphabet start, written-by statement), but there’s always a chance that continued study will refine the readings or reveal new nuances. In the world of runology, decipherment can be an ongoing process, especially for such an old and weathered piece.
Are there older runic inscriptions on other materials (not stone)?
Yes, there are a few slightly older examples of runes, but they’re on portable objects and often very short. For instance, the Vimose comb from Denmark (around 160 AD) has what might be the word “HARJA” carved on it, and a brooch from Meldorf, Germany (dated around 50 AD) has incisions that some think are runes. These are hotly debated, though. The Svingerud stone is the oldest inscription on stone in a clear context. So while a comb or piece of jewelry might have a rune or two from a similar era, those finds are rare and often ambiguous. Svingerud is remarkable for its length (several words) and clarity as a runic text from that time. It’s fair to say this stone represents the earliest stage of runic writing that we can really study in detail. Anything older is either not definitively runic or not fully understood yet.
