Record

Stone with runic inscription (cast)

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from Maes Howe, Orkney

Postcard of Stone with runic inscription (cast).
000-100-043-530-C
© National Museums Scotland

Stone with runic inscription (cast)

This is a cast of one of a number of stones carved with runic inscriptions on the inside walls of the neolithic chambered cairn at Maes Howe at Stenness on Orkney. The carvings were made between 1150 and 1200.

The inscription, when combined with another nearby, translates as 'These runes were carved by that man who is the most skilled in runes in the Western Sea, with the axe which belonged to Gaukr the son of Trandill from the south of Iceland.'

Runes are a way of representing the Roman alphabet, used in northern Europe, especially Scandinavia, from the first millennium AD. They were ideally suited to wood, though most surviving examples are on stone.


Record details

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Online ID: 000-100-043-530-C
Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
Project: 0098: National Museums Scotland
Project description | View all records in project
Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.IB 263
Date: Date of original carvings: between 1150 and 1200; date of cast: 1863
Material:
Dimensions: 56.00" x 8.50"
What: Runic inscription / cast
Subject:
Who:
Where: Scotland, Orkney, Stenness, Maes Howe
Event:
Description: Cast of a runic inscription from the interior of the prehistoric tomb at Maes Howe, Orkney
References:
Translations:
Related Records:
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