Stone with runic inscription

This sandstone block carved with Norse runes was found in a burial ground at Cunningsburgh in Shetland. The runes were carved sometime in the 10th or 11th century.

The beginning of the runic inscription is lost, but the remainder translates as 'for his father Thorbjorn', suggesting that the stone is part of a memorial gravestone.

In the early Historic period three alphabets were current: Latin, brought by the Christian church; ogham, originally developed by the Irish and used by both Scots and Picts; and runes brought by the Scandinavians. Most people, however, were illiterate.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-043-473-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.IB 103
• Date: 10th or 11th century
  
• Material: Sandstone; inscribed with runes
  Block
  
• Dimensions: 1380 mm H x 220 mm L x 200 mm W
  
• What: Block
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Shetland, Cunningsburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: Sandstone block inscribed with runes, from Cunningsburgh, Shetland
  
• References:
  • Allen, J. R. & Anderson, J. The early Christian monuments of Scotland. Edinburgh: Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 1903, vol. 2, p 19. 
• Translations:
• Related Records: