Virgo 2014 RUNESCOPE
Virgo 2014 RUNESCOPE
Runology is the study of the runic alphabets, runic inscriptions, runestones, and their history. Runology forms a specialised branch of Germanic linguistics.
Historically, the runic alphabet is a derivation of the Old Italic alphabets of antiquity, with the addition of some innovations.
Which variant of the Old Italic family in particular gave rise to the runes is uncertain. Suggestions include Raetic, Etruscan, or Old Latin as candidates. At the time, all of these scripts had the same angular letter shapes suited for epigraphy, which would become characteristic of the runes.
The process of transmission of the script is unknown.
The oldest inscriptions are found in Denmark and Northern Germany, not near Italy. A “West Germanic hypothesis” suggests transmission via Elbe Germanic groups, while a “Gothic hypothesis” presumes transmission via East Germanic expansion. To set up an appointment for a consultation via Skype, contact me at: runescopes4u@gmail.com.
