Altuna Runestone

Description

The Altuna Runestone is a 1.95 m high granite stone, which was discovered by local historian KA Karlinder 1918 in the wall of a chapel near his present position. One side of the Altunasteines illustrates a legend who is the "Song of Hymir ", in the Poetic Edda in Hymiskviða. The illustration shows how the god Thor by Jörmungandr, the Midgard Serpent, is fishing. The encounter between Thor and Jörmungandr seems to have been a popular motif in the Scandinavian art. The Stone in the Hørdum Kirke and the Gosforth Cross are also to be connected with this myth.

Inscription

The inscription refers to the fact that the father and his son Holmfastr Arnfastr, which is dedicated to the stone, perhaps an arson, a common method in Scandinavian feuds, fell victim to. Arnfastr and his brother Véfastr share the element " FASTR " in the name with her father Holmfastr. Repeating one of the elements from the name of a parent on behalf of children was a common practice in Scandinavia at that time to see the family connection.

The inscription is classified as carved in runes style Pr3, which is also known as Urnes style. This style is characterized by slim and stylized animals that are interwoven into patterns. The inscription is signed by a rune master, who was active in the southwestern and northern Södermanland Uppland during the second half of the 11th century.

The reading of the text is uneven:

• Side A: Véfastr, Folkaðr, Guðvarr left the stone in memory of her father Holmfastr, (and in memory) build Arnfastr (?).
• Side B (version 1): Both father and son were burned, and Balli ( and ) Freysteinn, Lífsteinns followers carved. Side B (Version 2): Both father and son were, and Balli ( and ) Freysteinn ( and ) Lífsteinn burned ( carved? ).