Rune Carvers and Local Mobility

Abstract

This article examines the local travels of some late Viking period rune carvers in Sweden. The local mobility of rune carvers known by name is analysed on the basis of the distribution of their runic monuments. In order to distinguish between rune carvers of the unornamented and unsigned rune-stones of the late tenth / early eleventh century, the carving technique has been analysed by 3D-scanning and statistical analysis. When compared to earlier studies of mobility in low-technological societies, results indicate that most rune carvers could reach most of their rune-stones within 1-2 days of fast travel or within 3-4 days at a more leisurely speed. It is discussed whether this also may be indicative of the range of the households and their alliances. There may be an indication that carvers travel longer distances in the early phase of the period in question.