Erik-Stein

Latitude:
54° 29' 4.88 N
Longitude:
9° 33' 49.61 E
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Erik-Stein

Nucleus
Nucleus Aug 30, 2020

Four rune stones were found in the vicinity of Haithabu. All are memorial stones for fallen warriors who were closely related to the Danish rulers of the 10th century in Haithabu.

The Erki-Stein was found in 1796 between two burial mounds, on the Kreuzberg, a hill between Haithabu and the Königshügel. During excavations, traces of cremation were found, but nothing that could be understood as the burial of a Viking Age chief.

The inscription on the stone reads:

“Thorulf erected this stone, Sven’s henchman, for Erik, his comrade, who was killed when warriors besieged Haithabu, and he was a helmsman [and] warrior – a very respected one.”

However, this stone is only a replica. The original can be seen in the Haithabu Viking Museum in Busdorf.

The stone is right on the road between Oberselk and Busdorf in a parking lot.

P.S.: The image stabilizer on my camera didn’t work properly on this tour, so some of my images are unfortunately out of focus. Sorry for that.

Visited June 2020

Erik-Stein

Nucleus
Nucleus Aug 30, 2020

taken from the on-site information board:

All four rune stones found in the vicinity of Haithabu are memorial stones for fallen warriors who were closely related to the Danish rulers of the 10th century in Haithabu.

A fifth rune stone, dated around 1050, was discovered in 1897 in the north side tower of Schleswig Cathedral. Today it is in the Gottorf Castle Archeology Museum.

The Erik stone indicates the followers of King Sven Gabelbart (approx. 987-1014). Sven’s follower Thorulf had this stone erected in memory of his comrade Erik, in order to praise his merits as a skipper and warrior.

The rare tie runes on the back of the stone are a specialty.

Sites within 20km of Erik-Stein

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