The Swede as a Viking is a stereotype that is alive and well.  It’s a stereotype that even the Swedes themselves play up.  Just watch the stands next time Sweden is playing in any international sporting event.  You’ll see Swedes wearing the ubiquitous blue and yellow horned Viking helmet.  Of course, we all know that Vikings didn’t really wear horned helmets.  Right?  Good.  We also know that the vast majority of Swedes during the Viking Age were not marauders, but instead stayed home and farmed and raised animals.

That doesn’t mean though that Viking history can’t be found throughout Sweden.  In my opinion, one of the most exciting parts of Viking history is the numerous rune stones that dot the Swedish landscape.

Rune stones are large slabs of stones on which inscriptions have been made in the runic alphabet, usually referred to as futhark (because of the sound the first six letters of the alphabet make).  They are not necessarily grave markers, but instead tend to be memorials to family members who have died.  Some of whom could have been one of the stereotypical marauders abroad.

The rune stones of Sweden can be found in many parts of Sweden, some out in the country side, others used as building material and built into churches or even buildings in Gamla Stan in Stockholm.  But it would take a long time to wander around Sweden looking at all the different rune stones.  Luckily, Uppsala University has an ongoing project documenting Nordic rune stones.

For nearly 20 years, the rune stones have been recorded, documented, and digitalized on a database called the Scandinavian Runic Text Database.  For those of you interested, head on over and download the necessary software to access the material.  It’s a wealth of knowledge, and a whole lot of fun.