The Istaby Runestone, as drawn by Stephens 1884.

The Istaby Runestone or DR 359 is a runestone in Proto-Norse which was raised in Blekinge, Sweden, during the Vendel era.

[edit] Inscription

[edit] Transliteration into Latin characters

AP Afatz hAriwulafa ¶ hAþuwulafz hAeruwulafiz

AQ hAþuwulafz hAeruwulafiz ¶ Afatz hAriwulafa

B warAit runAz þAiAz^[1]

[edit] Transcription into Proto-Norse

AP Aftr Hariwulfa. Haþuwulfz Heruwulfiz

AQ Haþuwulfz Heruwulfiz aftr Hariwulfa

B wrait runaz þaiaz.^[1]

[edit] English translation

AP In memory of Hariwulfar. Haþuwulfar, Heruwulfar's son,

AQ Haþuwulf(a)r, Heruwulfar's son, in memory of Hariwulfar

B wrote these runes.^[1]

The name Hariwulfa is a combination of hari meaning "warrior" and wulafa "wolf," while the haþu of Haþuwulfz means "battle."^[2]

[edit] Interpretation

The Istaby, Stentoften Runestone and Gummarp Runestone inscriptions can be identified with the same clan through the names that are mentioned on them,^[3] and the names are typical for chieftains. The Björketorp Runestone lacks names and is raised some tens of kilometers from the others. However, it is beyond doubt that the Björketorp runestone is connected to them, because in addition to the special runic forms, the same message is given on the Stentoften Runestone. Of these, on stylistics grounds, the Istaby runestone may be the oldest.^[3]

The Istaby runestone is currently located at the Swedish Museum of National Antiquities in Stockholm.

[edit] References

[edit] Sources

• Jacobsen, Lis & Moltke, Erik: Danmarks Runeindskrifter. 3rd tome. 1941.
• Looijenga, Tineke (2003). Texts & Contexts of the Oldest Runic Inscriptions. Leiden: Koninklijke Brill NV. ISBN 90-04-12396-2. http://books.google.com/books?id=-edm1fMPbXwC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_navlinks_s#v=onepage&q=&f=false. 

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