Viking Runes Runes are the only indigenous system of writing used by the early Germanic people. The alphabet is known as the Futhark after its first six letters. The earliest known runic inscriptions are from AD 150. Odin is credited with bringing the runes to the Germanic people. He sacrificed himself for knowledge. Each rune has only straight lines, none of which are horizontal. This would lead us to believe they were originally carved into wood, as horizontal lines would be difficult to distinguish from the grain. There are approximately 2,500 known runic inscriptions from the Viking Age, many inscriptions have probably been lost do to wood rotting away. Runic inscriptions can be found on objects, weapons, and memorial stones. The early Futhark has 24 characters. This was later replaced in the Viking Age by a Futhark of 16 characters. Sources Haywood, John. Encyclopaedia Of The Viking Age. Thames & Hudson Inc: New York, 2000. Viking Warrior | Viking Life | Norse Beliefs | Viking Longships | Viking Timeline | Viking News | Runes | Reading | Viking Movies & Music | Viking Discussion Forum | Home