Runes in the News: The Rök Stone and Climate Crisis

[Valin]

Jackson Crawford

Jan. 10 2019

The headlines implying that a mysterious Viking-Age runestone predicted 21st-century climate change are wildly overstated. Original article referenced from the journal Futhark: http://uu.diva-portal.org/smash/get/d...

Jackson Crawford, Ph.D.: Sharing real expertise in Norse language and myth with people hungry to learn, free of both ivory tower elitism and the agendas of self-appointed gurus. Visit JacksonWCrawford.com (includes bio and linked list of all videos).

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Riddles on ancient Viking monument may signal fears of cold climate crisis, study says

By Michelle Lim, CNN

Updated 5:13 AM ET, Thu January 9, 2020

(CNN)A huge 9th-century stone monument in Sweden may have been erected by Vikings who feared a repeat of a cold climate crisis that took place more than 300 years earlier, according to a new study.

The Rok runestone is a 5-ton granite slab that stands over 2.5 meters (8 feet) tall. At 28 lines, it has the longest known runic inscription in stone, with riddle-like messages that allude to Norse mythology covering its sides. And despite its age, the more than 700 runes and other characters are still clearly legible, with the exception of one damaged line.

While scholars have generally agreed on how to read the inscriptions, the exact meaning of the runic characters and cryptic passages has been elusive -- until now.

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