INS PhD student’s runic exhibition.

Andrea Freund, one of our PhD students, has her exhibition start this Saturday at the Orkney Museum, Tankerness House, Kirkwall.

Entitled ‘Runes in Orkney, a Millennium of Writing; New Research by Andrea Freund’ she provides a study of this ancient form of writing and the legacy it has left us.

Andrea said "I have always been fascinated by runic inscriptions since I saw my first runestone as a child. Now I am lucky enough to do a PhD at the Institute for Northern Studies and Orkney Museum, looking into Orcadian runic inscriptions and what they can reveal about past identities.

"The most striking thing I have found so far is the continued passion people in Orkney have for their runic heritage and how many Orcadians continue to be inspired by it, be it in art, jewellery or knitting. 

"Therefore, when it came to creating a temporary exhibition at Orkney Museum as a practical part of my studentship, which is funded by SGSAH (Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities) and University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), I felt it was important to not just show my research about Viking Age and medieval runic inscriptions from Orkney but also include how runes still play a big role here to this day.

"The exhibition show various inscribed objects that have never been on display before and also includes some antiquarian material that recounts the history of runology as a discipline."

Andrea also writes a regular blog about her studies.

‘Runes in Orkney, a Millennium of Writing; New Research by Andrea Freund’ runs from 9-30 March. The Orkney Museum is open Monday-Saturday, 10.30am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-5.00pm. Admission is free.