Rune stone from 400 AD discovered in southern Norway

The stone was found in Arnstein Henriksen's yard in Hogganvik, Mandal in Vest-Agder county. Photo: Private / Source: VG.

Experts are now examining a unique rune stone dating back to around 400 AD, discovered in a garden in the city of Mandal in Southern Norway a week ago. The find may also contain a grave, reports Norway Post.

This is the first rune stone discovered in Norway since 1947, and the find is described as a sensation by the experts.

There are several lines of runes cut into the face of the stone, but it seems the style of writing is a bit different from earlier finds, and more difficult to desipher.

However, it is determined that one sentence begins “Ek Naudigastir” (I Naudagistr). It is believed Naugadistr is a man’s name.

Under the rune stone there is also another large stone, which may cover what the experts believe to be a grave, since another grave was discovered on the same property around 20 years ago.

Rune expert James Knirk is very exited about the find, writes VG. He even cancelled his vacation when he heard the great news.

“This is one of the greatest things I’ve experienced,” he told VG.

Professor Knirk, originally from the U.S., has lived in Scandinavia for most of the past thirty years. He is professor of Old Norse and Runology at the University of Oslo (UiO).

Since 1985 he has been curator for runes and runic inscriptions at the University Museum of National Antiquities in Oslo (now the Museum of Cultural History, Archaeological Section), where he oversees the Runic Archives for Norway.

Source: VG / Norway Post / NRK / UiO