Södermanland Runic Inscription 86, Norse runestone in Västermo socken, Sweden.
Södermanland Runic Inscription 86 is a granite runestone located in the Västermo area with an incised facial mask and religious imagery carved into its surface. The monument displays Thor's hammer supported by two serpents alongside runic text written in the younger futhark script.
The stone was carved during the Viking Age by two brothers, Ásmundr and Freybjörn, to honor their father Herbjörn. The monument marked a burial location and preserves memories of a family from that distant time.
The facial mask carved into the stone appears to represent a deceased person, while Thor's hammer beside it serves as a symbol of old Norse beliefs. This combination of human features and religious imagery shows how people at that time honored their dead while incorporating sacred symbols into their remembrance.
The stone stands about one kilometer north of Ålberga and is easily accessible in the countryside. The monument is protected under Swedish cultural heritage laws and should be treated with respect during a visit.
The names of the two sons are directly connected to ancient Norse gods: Freybjörn means Bear of the god Freyr, while Ásmundr means Divine Hand. This naming choice reveals how important the connection to the divine world was for this family.
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