A runestone is a large stone carved with runic inscriptions — usually in the early Germanic alphabet known as the futhark.

'In fact, combs are among the most frequently discovered relic of Viking society, indicating that they paid a lot of attention to their hair' ...

Between 500 A.D, and the start of the Viking Age proper in 800 A.D., the elder futhark (alphabet) of 24 runes gradually evolved into a leaner 16-character futhark.