Early Period (2nd To 4th C.)
Further information: Alu (runic) and ErilazThe earliest period of Elder Futhark (2nd to 4th centuries) predates the division in regional script variants, and linguistically essentially still reflect the Common Germanic stage. Their distribution is mostly limited to southern Scandinavia, northern Germany and Frisia (the "North Sea Germanic runic Koine"), with stray finds associated with the Goths from Romania and Ukraine. Linguistically, the 3rd and 4th centuries correspond to the formation of Proto-Norse, just predating the separation of West Germanic into Anglo-Frisian, Low German and High German.
- Vimose inscriptions (6 objects, AD 160-300)
- Gotland spearhead (ca. 180), gaois
- Ovre Stabu spearhead (ca. 180), raunijaz
- Thorsberg chape (AD 200)
- Nydam axe-handle (4th century): wagagastiz / alu:??hgusikijaz:aiþalataz
- Caistor-by-Norwich astragalus (AD 400)
- Illerup inscriptions (9 objects)
Read more about this topic: Runic Inscriptions
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“If there is any period one would desire to be born in, is it not the age of Revolution; when the old and the new stand side by side, and admit of being compared; when the energies of all men are searched by fear and by hope; when the historic glories of the old can be compensated by the rich possibilities of the new era?”
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