Danish Runic Inscription 66

Danish Runic Inscription 66 is a large granite stone carved with both a facial mask and Old Norse runes across its surface. The stone combines sculptural and written elements in a way that was typical of Viking Age craftsmanship.

This stone was raised around 1000 to commemorate a man named Fúl who fell in battle. It remained hidden beneath Aarhus Mill until its discovery in 1850, when it was brought to light and preserved.

Four people jointly commissioned this memorial stone, showing how Viking Age partnerships called félag worked as a shared financial arrangement among members. The stone stands as a physical record of their collective bond and commitment to honoring their companion.

The stone is on permanent display at Moesgaard Museum in Aarhus and can be viewed as part of the Viking Age collection. The museum setting provides good access for examining the carved details up close.

The facial mask carved into the stone inspired the design of Moesgaard Museum's modern logo. This link between an ancient Viking artwork and contemporary branding shows how the past continues to influence the institution today.