Caistor-by-Norwich astragalus facts for kids

The Caistor-by-Norwich astragalus is a very special bone from a roe deer. It's an ankle bone, also known as an astragalus. This ancient bone was discovered in 1937 inside an old pot (called an urn) in Caistor St. Edmund, a village in Norfolk, England. What makes it so unique is that it has a message carved into it using an old writing system called Elder Futhark runes. This message, carved around 425-475 AD, reads ᚱᚨᛇᚺᚨᚾ raïhan, which means "roe deer."

This inscription is the oldest one ever found in England. It was made even before the runes used in England changed into a different style called Futhorc. The bone was found in a burial ground that showed some connections to people from Scandinavia. Because of this, some experts think the bone might have been brought to England from a place like Denmark. This would have happened during the very early days when people from places like Germany and Denmark started settling in Britain.

What is the Caistor-by-Norwich Astragalus?

The Caistor-by-Norwich astragalus is simply a bone. It comes from the ankle of a roe deer. An astragalus is a specific bone in the ankle joint. It helps animals move their feet. This particular bone is special because of the ancient writing carved onto its surface.

Its Amazing Discovery

This important bone was found in 1937. It was discovered during an archaeological dig in Caistor St. Edmund, a small village in Norfolk, England. The bone was carefully placed inside an urn, which is a type of pot often used to hold ashes or other items in ancient burials. The discovery site was a cemetery, suggesting it was part of a burial ritual.

The Mysterious Runic Message

The most exciting part of the bone is the message carved into it. This message uses an ancient writing system called Elder Futhark runes. These runes were used by Germanic-speaking people in Northern Europe. The inscription on the bone reads ᚱᚨᛇᚺᚨᚾ, which translates to "raïhan." This word means "roe deer." It's interesting that the bone itself is from a roe deer, so the inscription names the animal it came from.

What the Runes Tell Us

The runes on the Caistor-by-Norwich astragalus are very old. They date back to between 425 and 475 AD. This makes it the earliest runic inscription found in England. The way some of the letters are shaped is also important. For example, the rune for 'h' looks like ᚺ. This is the Nordic style, which has a single bar. Later, the runes used in England (called Anglo-Frisian runes or Futhorc) used a double-bar shape ᚻ for the 'h' sound. This difference helps experts understand how runes changed over time and where people came from.

Why is it Important?

The Caistor-by-Norwich astragalus is very important for several reasons:

• Oldest English Rune: It is the earliest example of runic writing found in England. This gives us a glimpse into the very first uses of runes in the region.
• Clues about Migration: The cemetery where it was found showed signs of influence from Scandinavia. This suggests the bone might have been brought to England from places like Denmark. This happened during the early period when Anglo-Saxons began settling in Britain. It helps historians understand the movement of people and ideas.
• Understanding Ancient Languages: The inscription helps experts study how ancient Germanic languages and their sounds worked. It provides clues about specific runes and how certain sounds were pronounced long ago.

The Caistor-by-Norwich astragalus is a small bone, but it holds big clues about ancient history, language, and the early settlers of England.