Unique Lost Runestone Of The Hunnestad Monument Finally Found After 300 Years In Sweden

Ellen Lloyd - AncientPages.com - A rush of joy overwhelmed archaeologists today when they discovered a unique runestone that has been lost for 300 years! The runestone was once part of the now destroyed Hunnestad monument, and no-one had hopes the stone would ever be found, but it has!

The Hunnestad monument as depicted in "Monumenta Danica" by Ole Worms, 1643. Credit: Worms och Axel Krogh Hansen

Already labeled a sensational archaeological discovery the runestone was unearthed while construction workers were laying pipes on a site that has long been of interest to archaeologists in Skåne County. Archaeologists who were present say the runestone was really a more or less accidental find because the shaft workers dig is so narrow. One could easily have missed the valuable historical stone.

The runestone has been missing for 300 years. Credit: Axel Krogh Hansen

Axel Krogh Hansen, an archaeologist who was there at the time of the discovery admits his heart was beating faster than unusual when he saw the runestone.

“This is a fantastic fun find, which you did not think would happen. This stone has been gone for so long that we thought it was destroyed,” says Magnus Källström, an expert on runes at the National Heritage Board.

The Hunnestad Monument Was A Perplexing Viking Age Monument

Before being destroyed during the end of the 18th century by Eric Ruuth of Marsvinsholm, the Hunnestad Monument was a truly incredible Viking Age legacy.

Located at Hunnestad in Marsvinsholm north-west of Ystad, Sweden, the Hunnestad monument was the largest and most famous of the Viking Age monuments in Scandinavia.

The Hunnestad monument was raised by two powerful men. Credit: Ole Worms

The Hunnestad monument originally consisted of eight runestones. Five of these stones survived but were later lost. Three of them were image stones and two had runic inscriptions.

One of the oldest of the two runestones depicts a large man dressed in a long coat and a pointed helmet. The man, who carries an axe on his right shoulder, is possibly a member of the Varangian guard.

According to a translation of the runic writing examined on the stones at Kulturen in Lund, the monument was erected by Esbern and Tomme. They are presumed to have been powerful and influential men who, according to field archaeologist Axel Hansen, may have had connections to the Danish monarchy.

It was a bit of luck the stone was discovered. Credit: SVT

In the eighteenth century, all the stones were relocated or destroyed. Only three of the stones from the monument remain today and are on display at the Kulturen museum in Lund. But now we have found another runestone that can be studied and exhibited later!

“This find will give us a lot of new knowledge, in several areas, both art, religion history and archeology,” Källström said in an interview with the Swedish Television, SVT.

The Lost Runestone Was Once Part Of A Bridge

It sounds almost unbelievable, but the runestone scientists have tried to find the last 300 years was once part of a bridge that crossed a small, narrow river in Hunnestad. Scientists have looked everywhere, but the missing Hunnestad runestone was all the time in close vicinity.

The location where one of the runestones once part of the Hunnestad monument was found. Credit: Firas Razak

Needless to say, this archaeological discovery is not only of great ancient importance as we can get a more comprehensive historical picture of the unusual Hunnestad monument in Skåne, but it’s also a discovery appreciated by locals.

See also: More Archaeology News

“It feels a little crazy it has always been so close, but it’s fun to all villagers. We have all talked about the runestones and wondered what happened to them. Some are at the museum, and now that one more has been found there is only more missing,” said Max Rosell who lives just a few meters from the places where the long-lost runestone was found.

Written by  Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com

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