Runic inscriptions were the alphabet of the Vikings. The runic alphabet is called futhark after its first six characters in the younger runic alphabet. Most of the inscriptions were probably made on wood that has since rotted, but the runestones still stand and tell of bygone times and the adventures of the vikings and today, over a 1000 years later, you can still read the stories from back then.

Try it and write your own secret Viking message!

The younger runic alphabet (futhark) was introduced in Scandinavia in the 700’s – displayed below.
In the end of the 900’s as reading and writing became more important dots and markings were added
to the runes and they became “stung”. The futhark we use is stung runes with additions.