Bryggen Inscriptions Reveal Viking Runes Were Used As Modern SMS – Short Message Service In The Norse World Was Popular

Ellen Lloyd - AncientPages.com - We tend to associate runes with large stones scattered throughout Scandinavia. Those rune stones tell stories about courageous Viking heroes, dramatic battles, and fascinating mythological creatures.  Sometimes, items with runic inscriptions were also used for medical purposes.  What is less known is that Vikings also used runes as modern SMS.

Sending short text messages using runes was a common and practical means of communication.

As previously mentioned on Ancient Pages, runes were regarded as God Odin’s secret language.  From Norse mythology, we learn that God Odin, who was regarded as the “Father of the Runes,” speared himself to the cosmic world tree, Yggdrasil, to receive the knowledge of the script.

Suspended for nine windy nights, he learned their mysteries, which he passed on to his people.  Odin gained the runes through great personal sacrifice. This is why runes were considered a divine gift from Odin.

The word “rune” comes from Old Norse and means “Secret knowledge and wisdom”. The true age and origin of the runes are still shrouded in mystery.

Furthark – The Runic Alphabet

The runic alphabet was known from the first century AD among all Germanic tribes around the North and Baltic seas. The oldest version of the runic alphabet had 24 runes.

Vikings also used runes to create a calendar- Learn more about the Viking Runic Calendar

Each “letter” or figure is called a rune, and it has a phonetic sound, but similar to the Chinese alphabet, it also has a distinct meaning, which is directly linked to Norse mythology. The Futhark was used for writing on wood, bone, and stone and was considered sacred.

Thousands of inscriptions in stone, wood, and metal have been unearthed, and each item gives us a glimpse into a culture that believed in the power and protection of the gods, telling fortunes and casting spells, and the glory of war.

Bryggen Inscriptions – Short Runic Inscriptions About Daily Life

Archaeologists have discovered about 670 medieval runic inscriptions at Bryggen, in Bergen, Norway. Most of the inscriptions are made of pine or bone. The so-called Bryggen inscriptions have been labeled the most important runic find in the twentieth century.

This is because these fascinating runic inscriptions offer solid evidence runes were also used to write down ordinary daily events and Vikings’ thoughts about life. They were also used to send short messages and even gossip. These fascinating runes are currently kept at Bryggens Museum in Bergen, and some are on display.

Bryggen inscription. Runes carved on a shoe. Credit: Nasjonalbiblioteket

Several of the Bryggen runic inscriptions are covered with personal names and marks. Some runes were used as property markers, like modern-day name tags. Distances between villages in countries in Scandinavia are often large. In ancient times, it took a long time to convey a message. The Bryggen inscriptions reveal Vikings wrote short text messages, just like our modern SMS, and the runic bones were sent with a courier. Other runes, such as business letters and orders, were carved to create longer messages.

To give the reader a better understanding of the Bryggen inscriptions, we can mention a few examples. On one Bryggen inscription, it is written: “Gyda says you should go home.” Another one reflects a personal thought and wish, stating: “ I hope I can visit the beer house more often.” Another inscription reads: “Ingeborg loved me when I was in Stavanger.”

Bryggen inscription states: Gyda says you should go home. Credit: Nasjonalbiblioteket

There are many examples of what Vikings wanted to tell themselves and the world.

Some runes refer to important mythological people, such as for example the Norns. In Old Norse mythology, the Norns were known as ‘Shapers of Destiny.’

The Norns were goddesses who ruled the fates of people and determined the destinies and lifespans of individuals. Some of the Bryggen inscriptions have been labeled cryptic runes by experts, meaning they have not been deciphered.

It’s also essential to remember Vikings in Bergen were not the only people who used runes to create short text messages. Bergen's climate has simply helped preserve an important legacy of the Vikings.

Written by Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com

Updated on January 5, 2024

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