Kvinneby amulet: the story on HearLore

Kvinneby amulet

Archaeologists unearthed a square copper plate in the village of Södra Kvinneby during the mid-1950s. This small artifact measures approximately 5 centimeters on each side. A tiny hole near one edge suggests it was once worn around a neck. Experts believe the object dates from roughly 1050 to 1130 CE. The metal has survived over nine centuries buried beneath Swedish soil.

Runic Inscription Structure

Scholars count some 143 runes carved into the surface of the copper plate. These characters follow a boustrophedon writing style that alternates direction with every line. An engraving of a fish appears alongside the text but its relevance remains unclear. Researchers describe this inscription as one of the longest and best preserved examples from its era. Despite its length, the meaning has proven difficult for experts to decipher.

Nilsson's Protective Invocation

Bruce E. Nilsson published his first interpretation of the amulet in 1976. He ignored what appear to be bind runes at the start of the inscription. His translation reads as an invocation to gods to protect Bove while he is at sea. Nilsson bases this reading on the carving of the fish and the mention of the sea in the text. He understands references to Thor and his hammer as allusions to the story of Thor fishing Jörmungandr. The scholar suggests the fins of the fish might contain coded runes representing deliverance from hail and need.

Lindquist's Earth Goddess Prayer

Ivar Lindquist spent approximately 30 years pondering the amulet before publishing his work posthumously in 1987. He proposed a solemn prayer to an Earth Goddess referred to as Erka or Fold. Lindquist identified her single son as Thor within the text. On etymological grounds he reasoned that Ámr represents a demon of sickness. Two of his suggested interpretations involve complex theological relationships between the earth deity and the thunder god. This approach stands in stark contrast to earlier mundane readings of the artifact.

When was the Kvinneby amulet discovered?

Archaeologists unearthed the Kvinneby amulet in the village of Södra Kvinneby during the mid-1950s. The artifact dates from roughly 1050 to 1130 CE according to experts.

What are the physical dimensions and features of the Kvinneby amulet?

The square copper plate measures approximately 5 centimeters on each side with a tiny hole near one edge suggesting it was worn around a neck. It contains some 143 runes carved into the surface following a boustrophedon writing style that alternates direction with every line.

Who published the first interpretation of the Kvinneby amulet and when?

Bruce E. Nilsson published his first interpretation of the Kvinneby amulet in 1976. He ignored what appear to be bind runes at the start of the inscription and read the text as an invocation to gods to protect Bove while he is at sea.

How did Ivar Lindquist interpret the meaning of the Kvinneby amulet?

What argument did Börje Westlund make against Ivar Lindquist regarding the Kvinneby amulet?

Börje Westlund published his argument against Lindquist in 1989 claiming Lindquist misinterpreted complicated bind runes as elaborate forms of normal runes. His reading translates the first runes as Here I carve protection for you Bófi shifting the narrative from a carver talking about himself to a separate carver addressing Bófi.