Comb

One piece double comb of horn. One side has one runic inscription; the other side has two. The three inscriptions are the 16 character runic alphabet, "futharken". One of the three runs backwards. The contents are doubtless magical and a deterrent, since the futharken was believed to have supernatural powers and was sometimes engraved as a protection against misfortunes and evil forces. The runic characters have long "branches" of the same type which are used on the Sörmland (Södermanland) runestones. Grave find Årsta, Österhaninge Parish, Södermanland.

Image rights: Ola Myrin, Historiska museet/SHM (CC BY 4.0)

Object number: 107862_HST

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