American Association for Runic Studies

05/21/2026

Care to explore a couple of thousand runic transcriptions, without having to conduct an in situ field visit to Scandinavian countries? Well then, here's the perfect online source.
Enjoy Christer Hamp's online data site to learn more either in Swedish or English.

411.7

05/08/2026

Medieval archeologist Rachel Morgan recently authored an interesting article on nine aspects of Rune Stones. It's worth a read.

The Vikings erected thousands of monumental runestones around the Viking world. What can they tell us about life in the Viking Age?

04/28/2026

Which language has the greatest influence on English structure? The often overlooked Norse, according to this writer.

English has so much influence from Old Norse that the beliefs about its evolution have been called into question.

04/13/2026

Here’s the answer to yesterday’s question on the posted runic bone carving.

It is one of more than a few that had a sense of humor.

It reads: “Kiss Me”

04/11/2026

Thousands of runes were carved in the Medieval era to highlight the significant achievements of leaders, important milestones in the lives of family members, property ownership claims, and an array of other topics.

Some displayed a sense of humor.

The attached image is a runic carving on a bone. It was noteworthy enough to be shared on a Tee-shirt worn by Dr. Henrik Williams, the only professor of runic studies in the world. Dr. Williams, of Uppsala University in Sweden, wore the attire during a field exploration visit to the Heavener Runestone and other carvings in Oklahoma.

Can you guess what the runic letters spell?

Check back on April 13 for the translation.

04/01/2026

Learn more about the WaWa Runestone through this Podcast by the North Bay Echo Community Podcast Network. Johanna Rowe, scion of J. Rowe Heritage Consulting, and a Director of AARS, shares details on this find in Ontario.

On this episode of Backroads Bill, we head to Northwestern Ontario to explore one of the most intriguing archaeological discoveries in the region in recent years. Local historian Johanna Rowe joins the show to talk about the discovery of the Wawa Runestone, a rock carving hidden in the bush that con...

03/17/2026

If you reside in the Upper Midwest and would like to know more about Runes, here's a presentation not to miss. AARS founding President, Executive Director, and Fulbright Scholar Loraine Jensen will speak to the Sons of Norway Lodge in Fargo, N.D. The event is April 21 and open to the public.

03/14/2026

Would you like to know more about runes?
The American Association for Runic Studies has plenty of helpful information on our web site.
Compiled by Dr. Scott Shell, Ph.D., our Runic Resources page has an extensive listing of reliable research information through online resources, book and journal recommendations, as well as online blogs.
Check it out at:

Christer Hamp’s WebsiteThis is a fantastic website for finding pictures of runic inscriptions. It is divided into two eras: “old” (160 to 1700 CE) and “new” (1700 to present day). One can browse through the listings for all countries or search within the inscriptions’ transliterations an...

03/07/2026

Sarasota, Florida, residents were recently treated to a presentation on North American rune stones from the American Association of Runic Studies. Presenting were AARS President Anne Louise Thompson (https://runicstudies.org/aars-elects-new-president/) and Founding President and Executive Director Loraine Jensen (https://runicstudies.org/jensen-re-ignites-fulbright-specialist-activities/).
Interested in a potential presentation for your civic organization? Make a request here: https://runicstudies.org/request-a-presentation/

03/01/2026

Here are some images of the WaWa rune stone courtesy of the Ontario Centre for Archeological Research & Education.