Martin Findell

Interesting and well-illustrated introduction to runes, published by the British Museum, covering both the writing system as it developed over time across northern Europe, and the puzzling modern enthusiasm for runes as mysterious, in contrast to their original use to provide information.Some of the words written in runic inscriptions are still recognisable to us, words like oak, ash, bone, fish, &c., and the runic caption carved into an 8th century relief of three bearded figures is clearly 'Magi'. Professor Findell stresses that little runic material has survived, but it is clear the tradition of recording that "Kilroy was here" goes back into the mists of time. Transcriptions of text would have helped me - the book misses these out and just gives phonetic transliteration.… (mais)