According to an article on runes by the Milwaukee Public Museum, memorial rune stones were created for individuals who died at home and abroad. When prominent people, usually men, died, a stone was erected by family members as a memorial piece. The message usually conveys information about the deceased, who created the stone, and living relatives. Viking raids abroad took the tradition of runic inscriptions as far away as Istanbul. The memorials for those who died far away account for about ten percent of rune stones.

Another reason for erecting a rune stone was to demonstrate the new Christian belief system which was introduced into Scandinavia around AD 960. Christian crosses and symbols were often added to memorial rune stones. Individuals also publicly proclaimed their new religion by creating a rune stone where they lived and where pagan religion was still evident.

Now, a report by Danielle Turner regarding findings revealed at the recent 105th Annual Conference of the Society for the Advancement of Scandinavia Study, gives a fascinating new look into the world of runes.

It reads:
Lise Gjedssø Bertelsen, [of Uppsala University] shows us that three styles emerged to form the bases of Late Viking Age (ca. 950 – 1135 AD) art: Mammen, Ringerike, and Urnes. These three styles... shared similar motifs, most notably the cross of Christ, crucifix, triquetrae, quadrupeds, birds, ships, and masks.

From these themes, Lise argues that the main content of the depictions were Christian. Pictures can quickly and easily communicate complex religious ideas when the creators, spectators, and commissioners share a similar frame of reference and religious ideology. She concludes that "a millennium ago the picture rune stones of Scandinavia glowed in bright colors for all seasons in the landscapes radiating their messages, first of all about the Christian salvation and resurrection."

Turner then highlights runic masks and other rock engravings discussed at the conference, including one from the eleventh-century depicting the famed mythological Sigurd's dragon-slaying.

"From this," she says, "we see a comparison between the dragon-slayer and the protector of Christianity."

Read more of these fascinating finds connected to Christianity by clicking here.

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