The Runestones of Sweden (Sverige, Svezia)

Have a look at:

The handbook of 1999

my precious guide for all visitors

“UPDATED MAR 3^RD, 2016, WITH THE OLDEST:

–          SOUTHERMOST

–          UNCONTESTED

–          NEVER MOVED EVER

RUNES IN THE ENTIRE WORLD”

WHY MANY ARE BROKEN ?

There might have been periods during which the runestones have been the subject of modification or destruction due to religious, cultural and political power changes. In many cases the runestones have been broken because it was not realized that they were carved stones. This might have happened when they were dug out after many years especially during agricultural activities. In many cases dynamite might have been used. However one reason might have to do with their function. The runestones in many cases, if not all, were raised as notary acts. A wealthy chieftain did not return from a discovery, commercial and military expedition and, once presumed dead, the runestone was a public statement valid also for inheritance purposes. As time passed the property might rightfully or not pass to other individuals and, much the same way as we today write “superseded” on a notary act, it could be possible that the procedure required then for the runestone to be broken up. An indication that this might have been the case is the fact that in some runestones holes can be observed. As if the intention was to insert wood inside, pour water in, and have it to brake it due to swelling, much the same way as wood poles were inserted in the caves. Or for some other procedure. For the cases in which holes can be observed the destruction of the runestone for some reason was interrupted.

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