Östergötland Runic Inscription 43, Ancient runic monument near Norrköping, Sweden.
This runic inscription displays two lines of text carved into granite rock, extending about 40 centimeters (16 inches) with clearly separated characters. The monument preserves a mix of younger and older runic forms, offering a window into the writing practices of the period.
The stone was created around 850 CE and combines younger runic letters with an older runic character, documenting the shift in writing systems during the Viking Age. This mixing of different runic styles suggests the inscription emerged during a transition period when writing practices fundamentally changed.
The carvings show a sword, cross, and sun symbol together, revealing how pagan and Christian ideas existed side by side in early medieval Scandinavia. This blend of beliefs was typical for the time when people combined different traditions in their daily lives.
The site is easy to find with marked signs and remains accessible year-round for those wishing to see the ancient carvings. Bringing good lighting helps to read the carved runic characters clearly, especially if visiting on an overcast day.
The stone preserves the word 'sól' meaning sun alongside a sun symbol, possibly pointing to the dramatic differences between winter and summer daylight in the Nordic world. Such observations of the heavens and changing seasons held great importance in everyday life for people of that time.
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