The stone, which is made of red granite, is 275 cm high, 100
cm wide and 40 cm thick and has a rune height of eight centimeters. The
runestone stands in open pasture land near the Risbyle croft and between its
partner stone U 161 and the road. Both Risbyle stones are dedicated to the
great farmer Ulv in Skålhamra, a farm that in the Viking Age was located just
southeast of Risbyle.The stone's ornamentation consists of two winding rune
snakes, which in the upper part of the motif are locked with an Irish leash and
crowned with a large, Christian cross. The carving is extremely carefully
carved and well preserved, the carving says:
ulfkitil · uk · kui uk + uni + þiR × litu · rhisa × stin
þina · iftiR · ulf · faþur · sin · kuþan on · buki · i skul(o)bri · kuþ · ilbi
· ons · at · uk · salu · uk · kusþ muþiR · li anum lus · uk baratis
”Ulvkettil and Gye and Une they had this stone erected after
Ulv, their good father. He lived in Skålhamra. God and the Mother of God help
his spirit and soul, grant him light and paradise.”
Sweden has around 2,500 preserved runestones, mainly from
the Viking Age, as memorials to deceased relatives, often after journeys to
distant lands such as England, or to honour bridge builders. Most are found in
Uppland (around 1,300), but they are scattered throughout the country, from
Skåne to Frösöstenen in the north. The stones are important historical
documents that tell the story of the Vikings' lives, travels and religion, and
the best-known examples include the Rökstenen, the Gripsholmsstenen, and the
Sparlösastenen.
Common themes and types
Memorials: Most runestones were erected to honour a deceased
person, often a relative who died abroad.
Roads and bridges: Some stones mark the construction of a
bridge or road.
Personal information: The texts provide insight into the
Vikings' worldview, family ties, and sometimes even their own adventures.
Style variations: The stones vary in appearance; those in
Mälardalen are often more lavish, while stones in Småland can be more austere
but with exciting stories.
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