The Fascinating Story of the Runic-Inscribed Nasta Runestone: A Viking Age

The Nasta Runestone, listed as Nä 34 in the Rundata catalog, is a Viking Age memorial located in Nasta, 3 kilometers northwest of Glanshammar, Örebro County, Sweden. It stands approximately 2.25 meters in height and 1.15 meters in width and is carved from granite, a hard and durable igneous rock often used for Viking Age memorials due to its resistance to weathering. The stone is inscribed in the Younger Futhark runes and reads: 'Þórheiðr had the stone raised in memory of Lyðbjörn, her capable son.'

The stone's form is roughly rectangular, with evidence of careful smoothing on the carved surfaces to accommodate detailed workmanship. The Nasta Runestone forms part of a modest cluster of Viking Age memorials scattered across Närke's rural landscapes, reflecting localized commemorative practices. It is situated along the same historical road as the nearby Apelboda Runestone (Nä 29), located about 0.5 kilometers northeast in Glanshammar.

The runic text on the Nasta Runestone has no attached beast or serpent heads, but the depiction of the serpent and beast depicted have some characteristics typical of the Urnes style. The Nasta Runestone is protected under Sweden’s Cultural Heritage Act as a listed ancient monument, managed by the Swedish National Heritage Board (Riksantikvarieämbetet), ensuring its in-situ preservation along the road northwest of Glanshammar.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons