Hogganvik runestone, Norse runestone in Lindesnes, Norway
The Hogganvik runestone is a large stone measuring roughly 1.5 square meters (16 square feet) with 62 runic characters carved deep into its surface. The inscription forms a continuous text in an early Germanic language, meticulously etched into the rock.
The stone originates from the 5th century and preserves one of the longest known inscriptions from the period between 350 and 500 CE. It remained buried in the ground for over 1,400 years until uncovered during routine garden work in 2009.
The name Naudigastiz carved into the stone points to someone of importance in this community. The runic patterns reflect beliefs and practices that shaped early Germanic societies, revealing how people of that era understood their world.
The stone sits in a rural area and can be reached through the region around Sånum-Lundevik. It helps to check local resources beforehand since the site is not always staffed, and weather conditions can affect access to the location.
The stone lay face-down in the soil, which protected the ancient inscription for over 1,400 years from exposure to the elements. This position prevented weathering and made the discovery particularly rare, since longer texts from this period are seldom found intact.
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