Runestone G 181, also known as Gotland Runic Inscription 181, is a Viking Age runestone that was originally located at a church in Sanda, Gotland, Sweden. It is believed to depict the three Norse pagan gods Odin, Thor, and Freyr.
The runestone was discovered in the churchyard of Sanda church in 1863 and is currently located in the Swedish Museum of National Antiquities. It is classified as being carved in runestone style Pr2, also known as Ringerike style. The inscription depicts two scenes under an arching runic text band. The lower panel contains three figures, holding a spear, a hammer or club, and a sickle. Because the weapon of Odin was the spear Gungnir, that of Thor the hammer Mjöllnir, and Freyr is identified with farming, the figures have been identified as these three gods. They are depicted wearing typical Viking Age clothing, including a cloak known as a hekla and a tasseled conical cap called a skott-húfa.
The upper scene also has three figures, which are considered to be the same gods; a large bird that may be a crane or goose is shown bending its head over the figure identified as Freyr. Its meaning is not understood. Some authorities have cited the runestone as evidence that Odin, Thor, and Freyr formed a divine Norse triad or trinity.
The runic inscription is carved in the younger futhark and consists of three personal names. Björn (Old Norse Bjǫrn) was a common name meaning “bear”; Gunnbjǫrn translates as “Battle Bear” and Farbjǫrn may mean “Far Traveling Bear”. The inscription reads: “Hróðvísl and Farbjọrn and Gunnbjọrn.”
#archaeohistories
