Set of rune stones of South African Tiger's Eye. Packaged in a nice bag with print.

The runic script (runes for short) is the oldest known script used by the Germanic peoples of Northern Europe, Great Britain, Scandinavia and Iceland from about the 3rd century to the 16th or 17th century. It consists of letters composed of mostly straight and angular lines that can easily be scratched into stone or wood, for example. When used on metal, round shapes were also used. The application of runes was also called "zipping" at the time. Futhark is the name for several Old Germanic runic alphabets. The term for the scientific study of runic alphabets, runic inscriptions and their history is runology or runic science. Runic inscriptions are known from about 150 to 1200 AD. and in Scandinavia for a few centuries longer. In Dalekarlie (Sweden), farmers were still familiar with runes at the end of the eighteenth century. After 800 AD writing on the European continent gradually lost its competition with the Latin alphabet taught in schools. The script was used for all kinds of messages, but is best known for the rune stones, which serve as memorial monuments. Runic inscriptions can be found in almost all areas where Germanic peoples (including the Vikings) have visited. Runic inscriptions can be seen especially in Scandinavia. Many inscriptions are on rune stones, memorial stones that were erected along important trade routes. The Einangstein at the Slidrefjord in Norway is the oldest known runic inscription still in its original location. The stone is located in the vicinity of burial mounds and remains of swamp iron mining. Jelling's two rune stones are perhaps the best-known stones. Five rune stones can be found near Schleswig, near ancient Haithabu. These are reconstructions, the original stones are in the city's museum.