Westeremden yew-stick facts for kids

The Westeremden yew stick.

The Westeremden yew-stick is a special piece of wood found in the Netherlands. It's made from yew wood, which is a type of tree. This stick was discovered in a place called Westeremden in 1917. What makes it so special is that it has ancient writing carved into it. This writing is called a runic inscription. Experts believe it was made a very long time ago, around the second half of the 8th century. With 41 letters, it's the longest runic message ever found from the Frisian people.

What is the Westeremden Yew Stick?

The Westeremden yew-stick is a small stick made from the wood of a yew tree. It was found in a village called Westeremden, located in the Groningen province of the Netherlands. This discovery happened in 1917. The stick is important because it has a long message carved into its side using ancient symbols.

A Glimpse into the Past

This special stick gives us a peek into history. The writing on it is from a very old language called Old Frisian. It uses a type of alphabet known as Anglo-Saxon runes. Scientists have studied the stick and believe it was made sometime in the late 700s. This makes it over 1,200 years old! Finding such an old object with writing helps us learn about people who lived long ago.

What are Runes?

Runes are letters from ancient alphabets that were used by Germanic people, including the Anglo-Saxons and Frisians. They were often carved into wood, stone, or metal. Each rune symbol had a meaning, and sometimes they were used for magic or special messages. The runes on the Westeremden yew-stick are a great example of how people communicated in the past. Even though some of the symbols are a bit tricky to understand today, they tell us a lot about the language and culture of the time.

Images for kids

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  An unfamiliar rune shape.

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  Another unique rune symbol.

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  A rune similar to 'kaun' from the Younger Futhark alphabet.