A Scandinavian rune expert is an individual who has dedicated their time and efforts to studying and understanding the ancient runic alphabet used by the Scandinavian people. Runes were used by ancient Germanic tribes, including the Vikings, and were considered a form of magical writing. They consisted of a set of symbols usually carved into stones or wood. To become a rune expert, one must immerse themselves in the study of runology, which includes the interpretation, history, and inscriptions of the runes. They must familiarize themselves with the different rune scripts, such as Elder Futhark, Younger Futhark, and Anglo-Saxon Futhorc, each with its own distinct set of symbols and meanings. Scandinavian rune experts often spend years deciphering ancient runic inscriptions, analyzing their meaning, and understanding their context in order to gain a deeper understanding of the past.
Faith Rogers, an environmental-science intern and volunteer at the Heavener Runestone Park, led me down a cobblestone path toward one of the 55-acre woodland's biggest attractions – which is also one of the US' biggest historical mysteries. We were deep in the rolling, scrub-forest foothills of the Ouachita Mountains in far eastern Oklahoma, and we were on our way to view a slab of ancient sandstone that still has experts scratching their heads and debating about the eight symbols engraved on its face.
Faith Rogers, an environmental-science intern and volunteer at the Heavener Runestone Park, led me down a cobblestone path toward one of the 55-acre woodland s biggest attractions which is also one of the US biggest historical mysteries. However, the message that Nordby deciphered shows that Rune messages were also used playfully among friends the 900-year-old message he deciphered is a romantic message that reads kiss me.
Scandinavian rune experts often spend years deciphering ancient runic inscriptions, analyzing their meaning, and understanding their context in order to gain a deeper understanding of the past. This requires a deep knowledge of the historical, linguistic, and cultural aspects of the Scandinavian peoples. The role of a rune expert extends beyond mere translation.
The mysterious Viking runes found in a landlocked US state
Did Vikings find their way to a remote part of Oklahoma? Some in a small community believe so, thanks to controversial runic carvings found in the area.
"[Farley] spent the majority of her adult life researching the stone," said Amanda Garcia, Heavener Runestone Park manager. "She travelled all around the US, went to Egypt and went to different places looking at different markings."
Faith Rogers, an environmental-science intern and volunteer at the Heavener Runestone Park, led me down a cobblestone path toward one of the 55-acre woodland's biggest attractions – which is also one of the US' biggest historical mysteries. We were deep in the rolling, scrub-forest foothills of the Ouachita Mountains in far eastern Oklahoma, and we were on our way to view a slab of ancient sandstone that still has experts scratching their heads and debating about the eight symbols engraved on its face.
Some believe that these cryptic inscriptions are runes (ancient alphabetical characters) carved into the towering stone circa 1000 CE by Norse explorers who travelled up the Arkansas River to this remote part of landlocked America.
"Do I think the Vikings carved this? I do," said Rogers, as we stood in the protective wood-and-glass "house" built around the 3m-by-3.6m slab. "[Local historian] Gloria Farley spent her whole life researching this, and she has a lot of evidence to back it up."
Farley – who grew up in the town of Heavener where the runestone was found and who passed away in 2006 – is a legend in these parts. She first saw the relic while hiking as a young girl in 1928 and was fascinated by it. Two decades later, she returned to study it, as an amateur runologist and self-taught epigraphist.
The first modern knowledge of the runestone dates to the 1830s, when it was found by a Choctaw hunting party. For years, white Oklahomans called it Indian Rock, mistakenly thinking that the carvings were Native American.
"[Farley] spent the majority of her adult life researching the stone," said Amanda Garcia, Heavener Runestone Park manager. "She travelled all around the US, went to Egypt and went to different places looking at different markings."
Gloria Farley first saw the Heavener Runestone while hiking as a young girl in 1928; here, she is with her sons in 1971 (Credit: Courtesy of the Oklahoma Historical Society)
She even contacted the Smithsonian only to find that they'd already made their conclusion back in 1923: they said the characters were of a Scandinavian language, and read "GNOMEDAL," or "gnome" and "dal", translated as "sundial valley" or "monument valley". Other scholars afterwards translated the symbols as "GLOMEDAL," meaning "Glome's Valley." So that cleared up the question of what language it was, but left two other questions unanswered: who carved those symbols, and when?
"I began to believe that the symbols on the stone indicated that Norsemen had visited the area before the time of [Christopher] Columbus. I renamed the rock 'The Heavener Runestone' and began my search for similar inscriptions in the area," Farley wrote in her book In Plain Sight: Old World Records in Ancient America.
Heavener Runestone Park is in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains in far eastern Oklahoma (Credit: Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department)
Throughout her career, Farley consulted with Norse historians, geologists and other epigraphists. She gathered evidence that supported her claim that Vikings had visited North America and were more than capable of travelling up rivers and creeks in longboats that could float in shallow water.
"A study of the fascinating Norse sagas revealed the efforts of the Norse inhabitants of Greenland to colonise the eastern coast of America from approximately 1002 until 1010 [CE]," she wrote. "If the Vikings had sailed to Russia, Ireland, England, France and to the far end of the Mediterranean, why would it have been impossible for them to reach Oklahoma via the Mississippi River?"
Ultimately, Farley led the charge that Vikings sailed inland from the Gulf of Mexico 600 to 800 years ago and left their mark in this canyon. Two additional sandstone slabs, each with runic markings (not enough to be translated), were found a mile north and a mile south of the Heavener Runestone, which park officials say indicates that the carvings were boundary markers.
They are often consulted by academics, historians, and archaeologists to provide insights into the cultural and spiritual significance of the runes. Additionally, they may assist in the identification and dating of runic inscriptions, which can be vital in the field of archaeology. In modern times, there is also a fascination with runes in popular culture, particularly in the realm of spirituality and divination. As a result, some Scandinavian rune experts may also offer services as rune readers, helping individuals gain insights and guidance through the interpretation of runic symbols. Overall, the role of a Scandinavian rune expert is to preserve and promote the knowledge of this ancient form of writing and to shed light on the rich history and culture of the Scandinavian peoples. Their expertise is invaluable in unlocking the secrets of the past and connecting us to our ancestors..
Reviews for "Charting the Evolution of Scandinavian Runes: A Journey with an Expert"
1. Emily - 2/5 - I did not find "Scandinavian rune expert" to be informative or engaging. The book lacked depth and the information provided felt very surface level. I was expecting to learn more about the history and symbolism behind the runes, but instead, it felt like a quick overview with no real substance. Additionally, the writing style was dry and uninspiring, making it difficult to stay engaged throughout the reading. Overall, I was disappointed with the book and do not recommend it to those looking for a comprehensive exploration of Scandinavian runes.
2. Tom - 1/5 - As someone who is genuinely interested in Scandinavian runes, I was extremely let down by "Scandinavian rune expert". The book is poorly organized and poorly researched, with limited information on the subject matter. The author seems to lack a deep understanding of the topic and merely regurgitates basic information that can easily be found online. The lack of any unique insights or perspectives made the reading experience extremely frustrating. I would advise anyone seeking genuine knowledge on Scandinavian runes to look elsewhere, as this book does not deliver what it promises.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - "Scandinavian rune expert" fell short of my expectations. Although the content was accurate, it failed to provide any real depth or meaningful analysis of the subject matter. It felt like a surface-level overview with no intriguing or thought-provoking insights. The writing style was dry and lacked enthusiasm, making it difficult to stay engaged throughout the read. It's unfortunate because Scandinavian runes are an interesting topic, but this book failed to do justice to their significance. I would suggest looking for alternative sources if you want a more comprehensive understanding of Scandinavian runes.