Sigtuna box, Runic copper box in Sigtuna, Sweden
The Sigtuna box is a small copper container with runic inscriptions from the Viking Age discovered in central Sweden. It held metal pieces that merchants used as weights during their trading transactions.
The box dates to the Viking Age and was discovered in 1911 near Lake Mälaren by a local worker. The find revealed practical tools and weights that provide insight into medieval trading methods.
The runic inscription combines prose mentioning a merchant named Diarfr with verse depicting a bird preying on a thief. This blend of everyday commerce and poetic expression shows how merchants honored their trade and its tools.
The artifact is displayed in a museum where you can examine it during regular hours. Take time to study the fine runic carvings closely, as the details are small but worth careful observation.
The inscription uses dróttkvætt, a Norse poetic form traditionally reserved for compositions honoring lords and kings. Finding this elevated literary style on a common merchant's tool reveals the owner's respect for his craft.
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