Runes and Inscription of Early Europeans

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Runes and Inscription of Early Europeans

• Drew Fernandez

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Early Runic Inscriptions

• It is commonly stated in history books that the
  Germanic nations were illiterate until the
  arrival of Christianity. This is not entirely
  true. Many Germanic tribes and groups had their
  own style of writing. According to
  archaeological evidence, the oldest runes are
  dated to the second century AD. Runes were used
  to create early stages of Gothic, Danish,
  Swedish, Norwegian, English, Frisian, Frankish,
  and other Germanic languages.
• These early runes were not used as modern day
  characters are in English and other languages.
  Most runic inscriptions were carved on pieces of
  wood as quick notes that could be discarded
  discretly or used as kindling. Manufacturing
  paper and ink to write with was far less
  convenient, especially when the Germans writing
  utensils were readil available. Most men who
  were literate in Germanic society carried a knife
  which could be used to carve a quick note to
  themselves or others.

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Because most runes were carved on wood instead of
inscribed onto paper, curves were to hard to
carve in a quick manner, and authentic runes are
made with straight lines cut in two directions
vertical, and horizontal. Horizontal lines were
avoided as well, because they would blend in with
the grain of the wood and be hard to distinguish.

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Various Runic Scripts
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Elder Futhark
The Elder Futhark is a 24 rune set divide into
three groups called ætts. This rune set was used
by the Germanic tribes of Europe and is
considered to be the most widely used set of all
the Futharks because it has the greatest amount
of archaeological evidence.
Fehu - F - Cattle
Eihwaz eo, ae Yew Tree
Perdhro P Variation
Uruz - U Auroch (wild ox)
Elhaz zz - Elk
Thurisaz Th Thorn or giant
Sowulo S - Sun
Ansuz A Mouth or Divine breath
Teiwaz T - Creator
Raidho R Wheel (of a cart)
Berkana B Birch tree
Kenaz K - Torch
Gebo G - Gift
Ehwaz E - Horse
Mannaz M - Human
Wunjo W V - Joy
Hagalaz H Hail or hailstone
Laguz L Water (Lake)
Inguz NG - Fertility
Naudhiz N Necessity (need)
Dagaz D - Day
Isa - i, ee - Ice
Jera j - Harvest
Othala - O - Home
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Younger Futhark
Fé - F - Cattle
The Younger Futhark consists of 16 runes and was
created by Scandinavian runic scholars in the 7th
and 8th century.
Ur - U, O, Y, W - Drizzle
Thurs - TH, DH - Giant
Óss - O - God or Mouth
Sól - S - Goddess of the sun
Raeidh - R - Riding
Tyr - T, D, NT, ND - Tyr (Scandinavian
God)
Kaun - K, G - Wound
Bjarkan - B, P, V, MB, MP - Birch Twig
Hagall - H - Hail
Madhr - M - Human (Humanity)
Naudhr - N - Need
Logr - L - Power of water
Is - I, E, J - Ice
Yr - Z, R - Bow made from a Yew tree
Ar - A - a good year
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Gothic Futhark
The Gothic Futhark is the language that was used
by the Norse and Anglo-saxons in the northern
areas of Europe. This is an adapted version that
was created later, around the 4th century CE.
Fe - F - Well-being
Waer - E - Staff
Pertra - P - Pot (ceramic)
Uruz - U - Strength
Thyth - TH - Thorn
Ezec - Z - Power of the elk
Aza - A - Human decent from divine beings
Sugil - SS - Light overtaking darkness
Reda - R - Motion
Tyz - T - Victory
Chosma - K, C - Knowledge
Bern - B - Birth (regeneration)
Gewa - G - The act of giving
Eyz - E - Horse
Winne - W - Joy
Manna - M - Basic human qualities
Haal - H - Hailstone
Laaz - I - Water
Noics - N - Need
Enguz - NG - Generative power
Iiz - I - Icicle
Daz - D - Day
Gaar - Y. J - Season
Utal - O - Inherited land or prpoerty
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Differing Theories on the Origins of the Futharks
There are several similarities between the
Futharks and the Greek and Latin languages of the
time. Many historians have drawn parallels
between the two in terms of character shape,
pronunciation, general layout of text, and other
aspects of language.
The most widely accepted theory of an origin for
the Futharks is in the language and writings of
the Etruscans in northern Italy.
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The Four Theories on the Possible Origin of the
Runes
?
?

• In short, the four possible origins of the
  Futharks
• Roman alphabet (Latin)
• Greek alphabet
• North Italic alphabet (Etruscan)
• Indigenous origin
• Due to lack of archaeological evidence and the
  similarities between many ancient alphabets, the
  correct origin of the Futharks still remains a
  mystery.

?
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Possible Origin of the Futharks
Roman Alphabet (Latin)

• Ancient Germanic peoples came in contact with
  Roman culture through the invasion of the
  Teutones and the Cimbri.
• Many Germanic tribes were familiarized with the
  Roman written alphabet as early as the 2nd
  century BCE.
• According to this theory, the Roman written
  alphabet was adapted into a Germanic alphabet
  the runes.
• The problem with this theory is that runes and
  futharks did not appear anywhere near the extent
  of the Roman empire at that time. The first
  evidence of runes appeared in the 1st century CE
  in the far northern areas of Europe.

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Possible Origin of the Futharks
Greek Alphabet

• The problem with the theory of a Greek origin for
  the Futharks is much the same as that of the
  theory of the Roman origin.
• The Futharks appeared much later and far away
  from the extent of the Greek alphabet at that
  time.
• This theory has been abandoned by most historians
  because it is based almost entirely on the
  similarity of various pronunciations in the two
  languages.

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Etruscan alphabet
Possible Origin of the Futharks
According to this theory, the Germanic peoples
living in the Alps came in contact with the
Etruscans early on and spread their own form of
the Etruscan language northward, where for some
reason it was transferred into written language
for the first time.
Neo-Etruscan alphabet (4th-3rd centuries BC)

• Archaic Etruscan alphabet (7th-5th centuries BC)

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Possible Origin of the Futharks
Indigenous languages
This theory simply states that the Futharks are
an original language created by the Germanic
peoples. There is little evidence of an earlier
version of the Futharks existing in the regions
were the first Futharks were found, so this
theory is nothing more than speculation.
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Runes in North America?
It is known King Magnus of Sweden sent that a
party to Greenland in 1355. They never returned.
It is very possible that these men were from that
party. The stone bears the date of 1362. The
transliteration of the text is generally accepted
as "Eight Goths and 22 Norwegians on a
journey of exploration from Vinland very far
west. We had camp by 2 rocky islands one day's
journey north from this stone. We were out
fishing one day. After we came home we found 10
men red with blood and dead. AVM Ave Maria save
us from evil." The inscription along the edge
of the stone says "Have 10 men by the sea to
look after our ships 14 days' journey from this
island. Year 1362."
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Possible Viking Routes to Minnesota from
Greenlandvia the Hudson Bay and the Nelson and
Red Riversor via the St. Lawrence River and the
Great Lakes.
It may also be possible for the vikings to have
left the stone as a marker, as vikings employed
the use of many different inscriptions and
futharks.
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Runes in Mythology
    The Elder Edda is a book of mythological
stories of the Norse gods and goddesses and it is
in here where we first see Odin learn about the
runes. A story called Hávamál or "Sayings of the
High One1" tells us just how Odin first learned
the runes.      Odin said I know that I hung on
a high windy tree     for nine long nights
pierced by a spear -Odin's pledge-     given
myself to myself. No one can tell about that
tree,     from what deep roots it rises. They
brought me no bread, no horn to drink from,    
I gazed toward the ground. Crying aloud, I
caught up the runes     finally I fell.