Runes in Finland

Tuotetiedot

Only a handful of runic inscriptions have been found in the territory of present-day Finland. These are, however, varied in their age, geographical distribution, and the type of artefact on which they are carved. Some are imported, but others point to local runic literacy. Discussion of runes in Finland—or their lack—has been a recurring theme in discussion of Finnish prehistory, particularly the question of continuity in the Swedish-speaking population. The chapters in this volume consider Finland’s runic inscriptions in relation to the archaeological record, runic practice elsewhere in the Nordic region, and their reception as part of cultural history. The book aims to synthesize information on Finland’s runic inscriptions from the Viking Age to modern times and inspire further interest in Finland’s runic tradition.