Science Nordic hails a medieval discovery in the heart of Odense, Denmark – a medieval runestick written by someone named Tomme:
It isn’t easy to decipher what the runes say and the stick itself is extremely fragile, explained rune expert and senior researcher Lisbeth Imer from the National Museum of Denmark in the press release.
”The stick itself had the consistency of cold butter before it was conserved, and some little devil of a root has gouged its way along the inscription on one side, which is a bit upsetting,” said Imer.
All the same, the researchers have been able to make out the words “good health” and “Tomme his servant”. According to the archaeologists the latter refers to the round stick’s owner as a servant of God. The words are in Latin.
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The rune stick, which may have been worn as an amulet or talisman, was found among ancient stalls, at a place reminiscent of an old market street.
Similar sticks have been found in the city of Bergen, Norway, in what seems to be the foundation of a tavern. They include notes about stealing kisses and, apparently, wives telling husbands it’s time to come home.
People used runes for all kinds of stuff in the middle ages.