runestone
Inscribed Nordic boulder
A runestone is a large stone bearing inscriptions in runic alphabets, typically erected by Norse and other Germanic peoples during the Viking Age and earlier.
Most commemorate the dead or mark territorial claims.
Runestones are found throughout Scandinavia and in areas of Viking settlement: The runestone near the church dates from the eleventh century.
Tapering stone monument
- pillarUpright architectural support
- steleInscribed memorial pillar
- menhirPrehistoric upright stone monument
- graniteIgneous rock, quartz-rich
boulder · slab · upright · erected · landmark · monument · marker · waystone
Large prehistoric monument stone
- neolithicFinal Stone Age period
- prehistoricBefore documented civilization
- archaeologyStudy of physical remnants
- artifactHuman-made historical object
relic · antiquity · excavation · burial · mound · dolmen · henge · menhir
Shaping by cutting away
- etchingAcid-incised metal print
- engravingCarving into hard surfaces
- commemorationAct of honoring memory
- chiselEdged carving implement
incised · glyphs · script · transliteration · knotwork
Authoritative wisdom source
- divinationForetelling through mystical means
- sorceryPractice of dark magic
- enchantmentMagical influence over someone
- occultConcealed from view
arcane · ritual · prophecy · pagan · talisman · amulet · charm · magic
Memorial stone at grave
- graveSerious and worrying
- cenotaphTomb without a body
- remembranceAct of holding something in mind
- tributeOffering of respect
commemoration · interment · cemetery · headstone · epitaph · ancestor · lineage · kinship
Extended heroic narrative
obelisk
Tapering stone monument
- pillarUpright architectural support
- steleInscribed memorial pillar
- menhirPrehistoric upright stone monument
granite · boulder · slab · upright · erected · landmark · monument · marker · waystone · fieldstone
megalith
Large prehistoric monument stone
- neolithicFinal Stone Age period
- prehistoricBefore documented civilization
- archaeologyStudy of physical remnants
artifact · relic · antiquity · excavation · burial · mound · dolmen · henge · menhir · tumulus
carving
Shaping by cutting away
- etchingAcid-incised metal print
- engravingCarving into hard surfaces
- commemorationAct of honoring memory
chisel · incised · glyphs · script · transliteration · knotwork
oracle
Authoritative wisdom source
- divinationForetelling through mystical means
- sorceryPractice of dark magic
- enchantmentMagical influence over someone
occult · arcane · ritual · prophecy · pagan · talisman · amulet · charm · magic · spell
tombstone
Memorial stone at grave
- graveSerious and worrying
- cenotaphTomb without a body
- remembranceAct of holding something in mind
tribute · commemoration · interment · cemetery · headstone · epitaph · ancestor · lineage · kinship · inheritance
saga
Extended heroic narrative
staves
Poles or music lines
- NordicNorway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland
- VikingsViking, longships, longship, raiding, Norse settlers
- VikingViking, longship, Viking ship, Odin, Thor
- mystery objectscrystal ball, magic mirror, ancient scroll, glowing orb, sealed letter
- inscriptionsinscription, epitaph, ancient inscriptions, gravestone, rock inscriptions
- Norse artifactsViking ships, viking axe, viking helmet, Thor's hammer, Mjolnir
runestoneoral tradition
Culture passed by speech
parchment · scroll · papyrus · vellum · digital text