Each rune not only represents a phonetic sound but also has its own distinct meaning often connected with Norse mythology (see clickable alphabet at left). Scholars believe that early peoples used ...

When the Vikings did write things down, they used a completely different type of writing to us called runes. Rather than letters of the alphabet, runes used symbols. There were at least three ...

These alphabets were only consonants ... They’re not supposed to be here—they’re supposed to be in Europe. (Old Viking runes have, indeed, been found on many continents.) ...

However, while the Vikings used a runic alphabet called younger futhark, earlier examples that predate the emergence of this warrior culture are typically written in older futhark. In use until ...