Regional North America United States Minnesota Society and Culture Ethnicity Scandinavian
Kensington Runestone
The Kensington Runestone is a slab of graywacke 31 inches high, 16 inches wide, and 6 inches thick (79 x 41 x 15 cm). It weighs 202 pounds (91.6 kg). The stone bears runic inscriptions on two sides, which tell the story of Goths and Norwegians who were exploring west from Vinland and came to "this island" in the year 1362. It was discovered in 1898 entangled in the roots of a tree on a farm near Kensington, Minnesota, by a farmer named Olaf Ohman, and has been controversial ever since. Once displayed by the Smithsonian Institution, the Kensington Runestone is now housed in the Runestone Museum in Alexandria, Minnesota.
More information
More information
Related categories 2
Sites 7
Peter Sjolander offers a working translation and an earlier attempt, both of which are very different from the usual translations. Includes rune graphics.
Video from the Minnesota Historical Society about this controversial part of Minnesota history. Just over 5 minutes.
Offers exhibits which demonstrate early pioneer life of the 1870s. Gift shop, membership information and special events. Alexandria.
A translation of the Kensington Rune Stone by Peter Sjolander. Contends that the stone marks the exact center of the northern hemisphere and longitudinal center of North America, and that therefore Redminland was all of North America.
Interview of geologist Scott Wolter, who will be taking the Kensington Runestone to a scientific conference in Sweden. 4.5 minutes, RealAudio. [Minnesota Public Radio]
(July 17, 2003)
RealAudio and transcript of MPR feature story. [Minnesota Public Radio]
(November 24, 1998)
Full text of the preliminary report to the Minnesota Historical Society by its Museum Committee, presented May 9, 1910. In HTML or page images, your choice. [Collections of the Minnesota Historical Society]
(December 01, 1910)
Video from the Minnesota Historical Society about this controversial part of Minnesota history. Just over 5 minutes.
Offers exhibits which demonstrate early pioneer life of the 1870s. Gift shop, membership information and special events. Alexandria.
A translation of the Kensington Rune Stone by Peter Sjolander. Contends that the stone marks the exact center of the northern hemisphere and longitudinal center of North America, and that therefore Redminland was all of North America.
Peter Sjolander offers a working translation and an earlier attempt, both of which are very different from the usual translations. Includes rune graphics.
Interview of geologist Scott Wolter, who will be taking the Kensington Runestone to a scientific conference in Sweden. 4.5 minutes, RealAudio. [Minnesota Public Radio]
(July 17, 2003)
RealAudio and transcript of MPR feature story. [Minnesota Public Radio]
(November 24, 1998)
Full text of the preliminary report to the Minnesota Historical Society by its Museum Committee, presented May 9, 1910. In HTML or page images, your choice. [Collections of the Minnesota Historical Society]
(December 01, 1910)
