Runic Inscriptions - Types of Inscribed Objects

Types of Inscribed Objects

Especially the earliest inscriptions are found on all types of everyday objects. Later, a preference for valuable or prestigious objects (jewelry or weapons) seems to develop, inscriptions often indicating ownership.

  • jewelry
    • bracteates: some 133 Elder Futhark inscriptions, popular during the Scandinavian Germanic Iron Age / Vendel era
    • fibulae: some 50 Elder Futhark inscriptions, popular in 6th to 7th century Alemannia
    • brooches: Boarley (Kent), Harford (Norfolk) brooch, West Heslerton (North Yorkshire), Wakerley (Northamptonshire), Dover (Kent)
    • belt parts (plaques, buckles, strap.ends): Vimose buckle, Pforzen buckle, Heilbronn-Böckingen, Szabadbattyan
    • rings: six known Anglo-Saxon runic rings, a few examples from Alemannia (Vörstetten-Schupfholz, Pforzen, Aalen neck-ring)
    • amber: Weingarten amber-pearl
  • Weapon parts
    • seaxes: Thames scramasax, Steindorf, Hailfingen
    • spearheads: Vimose, Kovel, Dahmsdorf-Müncheberg, Wurmlingen
    • swords and sword-sheaths Vimose chape, Vimose sheathplate, Thorsberg chape, Schretzheim ring-sword, Ash Gilton (Kent) gilt silver sword pommel, Chessel Down II (Isle of Wight) silver plate (attached to the scabbard mouthpiece of a ring-sword), Sæbø sword
  • coins: Skanomody solidus, Harlingen solidus, Schweindorf solidus, Folkestone tremissis, Midlum sceat, Kent II coins (some 30 items), Kent III, IV silver sceattas, Suffolk gold shillings (three items), Upper Thames Valley gold coins (four items)
  • boxes or containers: Franks Casket, Schretzheim capsule, Gammertingen case, Ferwerd combcase, Kantens combcase
  • runestones: from about AD 400, very popular for Viking Age Younger Futhark inscriptions
  • bone: Caistor-by-Norwich astragalus, Rasquert swordhandle (whalebone handle of a symbolic sword), Hantum whalebone plate, Bernsterburen whalebone staff, Hamwick horse knucklebone, Wijnaldum A antler piece
  • pieces of wood: Vimose woodplane, Neudingen/Baar, Arum sword (a yew-wood miniature sword), Westeremden yew-stick
  • cremation urns: Loveden Hill (Lincolnshire), Spong Hill (Norfolk)
  • the Kleines Schulerloch inscription is a singular example of an inscription on a cave wall

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