In the shadowy forests near Wawa, Northern Ontario, a centuries-old mystery has emerged from the earth - literally. In 2018, toppled tree revealed an astonishing archaeological find: a Nordic runestone carved into the bedrock, inscribed with 255 runic symbols and an intricately detailed image of a boat bearing 16 figures, flanked by 14 enigmatic Xs.
This unlikely relic of Nordic script, hidden beneath inches of soil for perhaps two centuries, has captivated archaeologists and historians alike, not just for its craftsmanship, but for the profound cultural questions it raises, reports CBC News.
The site is being studied by David Gadzala and Ryan Primrose, directors of the Ontario Centre for Archaeological Education. Primrose, who first received photos of the site seven years ago, has spent much of his career researching the runestone. But only now has he spoken publicly about its significance.
"It's certainly among the least expected finds that I think I've encountered during my career. It's absolutely fascinating," Primrose told CBC News.
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The full engraved rock, with the rune script to the left, and the Nordic ship to the right. (OCARE)
Nordic Runes in Canada
The symbols, it turns out, are runes from the Futhark alphabet, once widely used in Scandinavia. To ensure accurate interpretation, Primrose enlisted the help of one of the world's leading runologists, Henrik Williams, emeritus professor at Sweden's Uppsala University.
Williams undertook the arduous task of examining the carvings during a wet October visit, huddled under a tarpaulin in the rain for three hours, flashlight in hand. His conclusion: the runes spell out The Lord's Prayer, rendered in an old Swedish version that dates to a 1611 runic translation that was republished in the 19th century.
"It must have taken days and days of work," Williams remarked. "They are really deeply carved into the rock. Someone must have spent a couple of weeks carving this thing."
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The 255 runic characters carved into the rock spell out the Lord's Prayer. (Ryan Primrose/OCARE)
Big Questions Raised
While the idea of Viking explorers carving prayers into Canadian rock might tantalize the imagination, both Williams and Primrose agree the carving likely dates not to the medieval Norse period, but to the early-to-mid 1800s. And crucially, there is historical precedent: the Hudson's Bay Company is known to have employed Swedish laborers at trading posts in the Canadian wilderness during this era, including the Michipicoten post near the site of the discovery.
"This must have been a Swede," Williams noted. "Were there any Swedes at all here?"
The answer appears to be yes, and this Christian carving may have been the work of one such trader, or perhaps even a small group, seeking solace or community in the remote wilds of Upper Canada.
The image of the boat could be symbolic - a nod to the spiritual journey, or perhaps a literal depiction of passage through harsh territory.
The Viking boat image is carved near to the runic inscription. (OCARE)
Still, many questions remain. Why this spot? Why this particular prayer? And why was the carving subsequently buried? Was it hidden intentionally, or simply lost to the forest as nature reclaimed the land?
"Mysteries, they do tend to attract people," said Williams. "And this one will certainly do that."
Primrose, who has applied for a lease on the land with the cooperation of the property owner, hopes to preserve and share this unique site. Plans are underway to protect the runestone with a shelter and potentially develop the location into a historical attraction, notes CBC.
"We didn't want to release information publicly until we had done as much as we could at the time to understand exactly what it was," said Primrose.
The Ontario Centre for Archaeological Education (OCARE) states:
“Overall, the Wawa Runestone is considered to be of national interest, and even international interest. Upon disclosure to the public, this site will serve as an historical landmark with substantial tourist value. As such, the site should be protected and preserved for future generations.”
With summer approaching, OCARE aims to formalize plans to make the site publicly accessible, offering visitors the rare chance to stand before a lonely 19th-century cry of faith, etched in stone, deep in Canada's boreal wilderness.
Top image: Rune inscription found in Ontario, Canada. Source: OCARE
By Gary Manners
