The Linguistic Landscape of Runestones

The Linguistic Landscape of Runestones investigates the practice of carving and erecting runestones during the Viking Age (790–1100 CE) as the first example of how writing was used in Scandinavia to create linguistic landscapes.

In previous research, it has been difficult to adress the fact that erecting a runestone is a way of making mening in and with a specific place. This study aims to advance our understanding of the functions of runstones by new spatially grounded knowledge. Drawing upon geosemiotic theory, the study is structured across three spatial dimensions.

At the micro scale of runology, it is explored how inscribed runes contribute to the meaning making together with ornamentation, as well as shape and materiality of the stone.

On a macroscale of archaeology, it is examined how runestones establish connections to other places or borders of the landscape.

And finally, on an intermediate scale of reading practices, it is investigated how the design and placement of the runestones have guided the reader´s response and movements and directed attention to different parts of the surrounding landscape.

The regions of Västergötland and Östergötland have been choosen for analysis due to their long time span of runestones.

The project integrates archaeological and runological expertise though field studies of runestones at original locations, complemented by digital visualizations aimed at reconstructing the landscape of the monuments.