Jordan McCraeNestled near Lake Vattern in central Sweden, the Rok stone stands adorned with over 700 runes, traditionally believed to chronicle Viking exploits. However, a recent Swedish study challenges this narrative, suggesting that runic inscriptions may encode fears of an impending climate disaster.
Led by the University of Goteburg Professor Per Holmberg, the research posits that the stone’s reference to the “death of the sun nine generations ago” symbolizes the climate-altering events of 535-536 CE, triggering global crop failures and famine.
The study takes a broader interpretative stance, emphasizing the Viking elite’s role in maintaining cosmic harmony amidst environmental threats. Olof Sundqvist, a religious history professor at Stockholm University, underscores their role as cultivators of a delicate balance between light and darkness.
The narrative woven by the study extends beyond traditional military exploits, presenting battles as metaphors for conflicts warmth and cold, life and death.
Bo Garslund, an archeology professor at Uppsala University, points to ominous events preceding the Rok stone’s construction, including a solar storm, a frigid summer, and a solar eclipse.
These occurrences, the researchers argued, could have fueled fears of another Fimbulwinter, a devastating winter heralding apocalypse in Norse mythology.
This interdisciplinary approach sheds new light on the ancient runestone, revealing a narrative that transcends heroic tales, delving into the profound concerns of a civilization facing climatic uncertainty and existential threats.
References:
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/viking-era-runestone-may-reflect-fears-of-climate-change-151185
