Notice of Runic Inscriptions Discovered during Recent Excavations in the Orkneys Part 2

_Bra hewed this._

The third letter [rune] (a) is very rare, and is an indication of the great antiquity of the inscription. The word hew is often used for carve or write.--Professor STEPHENS.

BRE HOH THENA, _or_, BRAUT HAUG THENNA.

_Broke this tumulus._

The inscription seems to be incomplete, some words may have been engraved on another stone and lost.--Professor MUNCH.

(_Note._--The present state of the stone hardly justifies this supposition.--J. F.)

BRE HoH THENA, BRE HOH THENNA.

Professor Rafn does not translate this. He remarks that what precedes is "incomplete and undecipherable."

No. IV.

VEMUNTR RAEIST.

_Vemunt carved._--Professor STEPHENS.

VEMUNTR RAEIST.

_Wemund engraved (these Runes)._--Professor MUNCH.

VIMUNDR RAEIST.

_Vemund carved (the Runes)._--Professor RAFN.

No. V.

F, U, Th, O, R, K, H, N, I, A, S, T, B, M, L, Y.

This is the Scandinavian Runic Futhork, or Alphabet. The form of the second letter is very rare, the last three are also very unusual, and may be considered as an indication that the building had been for a long period of time in the hands of many people. It was the custom to write the Alphabet wherever it was most likely to meet the eye, and a pa.s.sing visitor, or treasure seeker, would have hardly taken so much trouble.--Professor STEPHENS.

F, U, Th, O, R, K, H, N, I, A, S, T, B, U, L, U.

The Runic Alphabet--Some of the letters here have been placed out of their proper order, owing probably to carelessness on the part of the writer.

Time has also produced its effects upon the letters, the [rune] is clearly [rune], and the long stroke in the third letter [rune] (th) is also accidental.--Professor MUNCH.

F U Th O R K H N I A S T B M L R.

The common Runic Alphabet.--Professor RAFN.

No. VI.

ORKASONR, SAGHTHI, A, RUNOM, THAEIM, IR, HAN, RISTU.

_Orkason said, in the Runes which he wrote._

No. VII.

NUARI KULTURMR, SIKURTHR, IRU, FALNIR, KIAEBIK, UIL SAEGHIAN IR, SO, MAIR.

_Orkason said in the Runes which he wrote--Nuari, Kulturmr Sikurthr, Iru, are fallen. Kiaebik will say ye (tell you) so more._

These two inscriptions must be taken together; they have been written at the same time, and by the same person. It is probably a military message from some battle-field, sent through a trusty officer who is commissioned to make known the details. The word Nuari is very doubtful; this part of the inscription is very indistinct. It becomes more legible advancing from left to right.--Professor STEPHENS.

ORKASONR SAGTHI A RUN OM THEIM ER HALIR RISTU.

_The son of Orca dictated the Runes which heroes engraved._

There seems to have been some blunder in the writing. If the dot on the right side of the letter [rune] has been the end of a stroke, it would convert the letter into the Bind-rune [rune] (Al.) and if the [rune] were a combination of L and R, the word would then read Halir, that is Men-fellows-heroes. The second part of the inscription, No. 7, is only a fragment--perhaps some part of a verse, but it is doubtful.--Professor MUNCH.

ORKASON SAHTHI A RUNUM THAEIM IR HAN RISTI . . . SAETHIAN IR SO MAUR

_The resolution which this Mar Orkason mentioned in the Runes he carved._

The two inscriptions are to be read together, but much of No. 7, is very indistinct.--Professor RAFN.

[Sidenote: _Plate VIII._]

No. VIII.

INGIBIORGH, HIN, FARET, LUTIN, HIR, MIGHIL, OFL, ATE.

_Ingibiorgh, the fair lady. Many a woman hath fared skinclad (or bent) here, (who) great wealth owned._

Ingibiorgh probably resided here for safety, and, as the word Lutin signifies _bent_, it may refer to the low cells which are within the walls of the How. (_Note._--The entrance also is very low and narrow.) The six Crypt Runes, or secret staves, represent the letters, A. ae. R. L. I. K.

R., and signify Aalikr or Erling, a proper name, or perhaps the beginning of some sentence.--Professor STEPHENS.

INKIBIORH, HIN, FAHRA, aeHKIA MORHK, KONA, HaeFER, FARET, LUT, IN HIR MIKIL OFLATI.

_Ingiburg, the fair widow! Many a woman has wandered stooping in here (although) ever so haughty._