Runestone

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/runestone

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the peak period of erection?Late Viking Age (approx. 9th to 11th centuries CE)
2. What is the primary function?Memorialization of deceased individuals, often men
3. Why did people put runes on big stones instead of small objects?People started putting runes on big stones to create lasting memorials that everyone could see. It helped remember people and their deeds for many generations.
4. Where are most runestones found?Most runestones are in Scandinavia, especially Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. A few are also in places like England, Scotland, Ireland, Russia, and Ukraine.

Epigraphy: The study of inscriptions, especially ancient ones, on stone, metal, or other durable materials.
Paleography: The study of ancient handwriting and scripts, including the evolution of letterforms and writing systems.
Migration Period: A historical period in Europe (roughly 300-700 CE) characterized by large-scale movements of peoples.
Polychromy: The practice of decorating an object or structure with many colors.