Sigtuna box

The Sigtuna box measures 10 centimeters across with an internal space of 9.8 centimeters and stands 7.8 centimeters tall with 2-millimeter thick metal walls.

Discovered in August 1911 by an upholsterer digging near Lake Mälaren, the box contained a heavy substance weighing approximately 2 kilograms of small metal pieces.

The runic inscription on the box features both prose mentioning a merchant named Diarfr and poetry depicting a bird feeding on a thief.

The copper container functioned as storage for a small pair of scales used by merchants to measure precise weights of silver and gold during trades.

The box inscription includes a dróttkvætt, a Norse poetic form traditionally reserved for compositions praising lords and kings, making it a rare merchant-related example.

GPS coordinates: 59.61650,17.72310

Latest update: March 19, 2025 15:15