Snoldelev Stone

The Snoldelev Stone is a 9th-century runestone from Roskilde Municipality in Denmark, now standing at the National Museum in Copenhagen. It measures 1.25 meters in height and displays early Younger Futhark rune inscriptions alongside three interlocking drinking horns arranged in a circular pattern.

Farmers found the stone around 1775 near the village of Snoldelev, and the Danish Antiquities Commission acquired it in 1811 for the national collection. The inscription names Gunnvaldr as a Thulr, a role tied to religious or poetic duties within the community.

The three interlocking drinking horns carved on its surface recall a symbol from Norse mythology tied to communal drinking rituals. Visitors today see the original in the museum, where it stands among other objects from the same period.

The stone stands in the permanent exhibition at the National Museum in Copenhagen, where visitors can view it up close. Lighting in the room makes it easier to see the runes and the symbol on its surface.

The rune inscription contains a particular a-rune that resembles the h-rune from the long-branch variation, representing a rare form in this period. This variation gives researchers clues about regional differences in 9th-century runic script.