RUNESTONES

A runestone is typically a raised stone with a runic inscription, but the term can also be applied to inscriptions on boulders and on bedrocks. The tradition began in the 4th century, and it lasted into the 12th century, but most of the runestones dates from the late Viking Age. Most runestones are located in Scandinavia, but there are also scattered runestones in locations that were visited by Norsemen during the Viking Age. Runestones are often memorials to dead men.

You can read more about runestones on Wikipedia.