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The secret messages of Viking runestones - Jesse Byock

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TEDEd Animation

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With their navigational skills and advanced longships, the Vikings sustained their seafaring for over 300 years. But for all their might, they left few monuments. Instead, fragments of stone, bark and bone found in the sites of ancient settlements provide the keys to their culture. Many of these objects are inscribed with Old Norse written in runic letters. Jesse Byock explores the ancient language.

What artifacts do runologists rely on the most when deciphering ancient runic letters? How do these artifacts compare to other ancient civilizations?

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Meet The Creators

  • Director Lisa LaBracio
  • Educator Jesse Byock
  • Narrator Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Illustrator Lisa LaBracio
  • Animation Assistant Ricardo Delarosa
  • Sound Designer Weston Fonger
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Associate Editorial Producer Elizabeth Cox
  • Script Editor Iseult Gillespie
  • Fact-Checker Joseph Isaac

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