2,000-Year-Old Runestone Fragment Found in Norway

SOURCE www.nbcnews.com
Researchers in Norway have found a 2,000-year-old runestone fragment with an inscription that may have been signed by a woman, potentially making it the oldest known record of a female rune-inscriber. The inscription suggests that the writer claimed to have written the runic script. The discovery sheds light on the evolution of the Germanic alphabetic script and the use of runestones in Scandinavia.

Key Points

  • Fragment found in Hole, southern Norway
  • Inscription may have been signed by a woman
  • Inscription suggests writer claimed to have written the runic script
  • Fragments dated between 50 B.C. and 275 A.D.
  • Discovery sheds light on language evolution and runestone use in Scandinavia

Pros

  • Potentially oldest record of a female rune-inscriber
  • Insight into the evolution of Germanic alphabetic script
  • Contributes to understanding the use of runestones in Scandinavia

Cons

  • Deciphering ancient runic inscriptions can be challenging without proper archaeological context
  • Significant gaps in the research due to missing portions of the stone