Skip to main content

The secret messages of Viking runestones - Jesse Byock

728,607 Views

7,657 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

With their navigational skills and advanced longships, the Vikings sustained their seafaring for over 300 years. But for all their might, they left few monuments. Instead, fragments of stone, bark and bone found in the sites of ancient settlements provide the keys to their culture. Many of these objects are inscribed with Old Norse written in runic letters. Jesse Byock explores the ancient language.

True or false: the Viking language doesn’t have a standard spelling?

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Director Lisa LaBracio
  • Educator Jesse Byock
  • Narrator Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Illustrator Lisa LaBracio
  • Animation Assistant Ricardo Delarosa
  • Sound Designer Weston Fonger
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Associate Editorial Producer Elizabeth Cox
  • Script Editor Iseult Gillespie
  • Fact-Checker Joseph Isaac

More from The World's People and Places