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Björketorp Runestone
The Björketorp Runestone (DR 360 U) in Blekinge, Sweden. It is one of the world's tallest runestones measuring 4.2 metres in height. InscriptionThe runes were made in the 6th or the 7th century and in Proto-Norse (a similar message is given on the Stentoften Runestone). It is found on two sides. The shorter message appears to say "I foresee perdition" or "prediction of perdition". The message of the other side is also debated. A: hAidz Haidz runo runo ronu runu, fAlAhAk falh'k hAiderA hedra ginArunAz ginnarunaz. ArAgeu Argiu hAerAmAlAusz hermalausz, utiAz ... welAdAude weladauþe, sAz saz þAt þat bArutz brytz. I, master of the runes(?) conceal here runes of power. Incessantly (plagued by) maleficence, (doomed to) insidious death (is) he who breaks this (monument). B: uþArAbA Uþarba sbA spa. I prophesy destruction / prophecy of destruction. Swedish: "Mäktiga runors hemlighet dolde jag här, kraftfulla runor. Den som bryter detta minnesmärke skall ständigt plågas av arghet. Svekfull död ska träffa honom. Jag spår fördärv". Menhirs The runestone is paired with two high uninscribed menhirs. AnalysisMost scholars date the inscription to the 7th century and it is carved with a type of runes that form an intermediate version between the Elder Futhark and the Younger Futhark. A characteristic example of this is the a-rune  The Stentoften, Istaby and Gummarp inscriptions can be identified with the same clan through the names that are mentioned on them, and the names are typical for chieftains. The Björketorp Runestone lacks names and is raised some tens of km from the others. However, it is beyond doubt that the Björketorp runestone is connected to them, because in addition to the special runic forms, the same message is given on the Stentoften Runestone. The runestones were not carved by the same man, and so it appears that the runestone reflects a specific tradition in Blekinge during the 7th century. Compared to the Stentoften inscription, the one on the Björketorp stone has a fuller, more formal and less archaic style.[1] Scholars are not in agreement on the purpose of the runestone. It has been suggested that the runestone is a grave and that the curse is intended to protect it. However, in 1914, there were archaeological excavations which did not present any finds either by the runestone or in the stone circle. To counter this, it has been suggested that the runestone is a Cenotaph, i.e. a memorial far from the real burial. A second suggestion is that it was a shrine for Odin or for fertility. A third suggestion is that the runestone marks a border between the Swedes and the Daner. See alsoCitations
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