Runes in Finland

Only a handful of runic inscriptions have been found in Finland. They vary in age, geographical distribution and the type of artefact on which they are carved. Some are imported, while others point to local runic literacy. The question of runes in Finland has been a recurring theme in discussions of Finnish prehistory. It is particularly significant when it comes to the question of continuity in the Swedish-speaking population.

Runes in Finland aims to synthesize information on Finland’s runic inscriptions from the Viking Age to modern times. The authors of the book consider Finland’s runic inscriptions in relation to the archaeological record, runic practice elsewhere in the Nordic region, and their reception as part of cultural history.