Influence and imagery of Scandinavian rune stones
There are over 2 000 Scandinavian picture rune stones that constitute late Viking Age art from roughly 950 AD to 1130 AD. European influences and motifs and pictorial structures are evident, and the art constitutes an important link to the Christianisation of the Vikings. Yet there is little knowledge on the imagery of Scandinavian picture rune stones as well as the European influence, their tradition, content and message. The EU-funded PICTURE-RUNESTONES project aimed at better understanding the imagery of this art as regards styles, motifs and pictorial structure. This involved an interdisciplinary approach bringing together runologists, historians and art historians as well as access to large databases. The work also involved participation in conferences, meetings and symposiums. Care was taken to understand the art in context and in its frame of reference of that time rather than present day. Research revealed that the oldest monuments are from Denmark followed by those from Norway and Sweden. Positive feedback was received on both a national and international level. As a result of the analysis, a better understanding of the images, such as of their religious messages, has been realised. One example of this is the tree of life ring cross that depicts the Christian tree of life and the cross of Christ as one icon. The project findings can make a significant contribution to Europe's cultural economy via museums, publishing and tourism.
