Arkeonews reports on recent work in Denmark which thinks it has established the identity of the carver-scribe of the runes on the tenth century Jelling Stones, and related them to other contemporary inscriptions.
One might think that one rune looks very much like another, but techniques specific to one individual stonemason can apparently now be quantified and assigned to a particular craftsman.
Identifying the handiwork of the artist has also enabled links to be established between the two Jelling Stones and other runic inscriptions, and a new realisation of the importance of Queen Thyra, the wife of King Gorm the Old and mother of King Harald Bluetooth. It was King Harald who commissioned the second Jelling Stone with its celebration of his achievements. The Jelling Stones are often presented as the foundation stones of the Kingdom of Denmark.
Wikipedia has an illustrated account of the Jelling Stones, their inscriptions and iconography at Jelling stones
The National Museum of Denmark website has an illustrated article about the Stones at The Jelling Stone. This also has links to other pages about the other parts of the Jelling complex.
Viking Archaeology also has an introduction to the site at Jelling at Jelling | Viking Archaeology
A few years ago the splendid British Museum exhibition about the Vikings included a full size copy of the Bluetooth Stone from Jelling. This facsimile had been painted as it is believed the original once was and it brought out how very striking a feature the original must once have been.
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A modern copy in the National Museum of Denmark of the King Harald Bluetooth Stone painted as the original would have been.
Image: Wikipedia
The Arkeonews article about this latest research into the carver of the runes can be read at Using 3D scanners, archaeologists have identified the person who carved Jelling Stone Runes
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