Locating and learning about runestones in Sweden is much easier thanks to a recently created app. “Svenska Runstena” has an interactive map to see exactly where these medieval artefacts can be found and in what condition the stones are in.
Developed by Sofia Pereswetoff-Morath of Stockholm University together with Umami Produktion, the app is the first of its kind and contains 1,300 of Sweden’s approximately 2,000 runestones (with more entries to be added this fall). While the app is mainly in Swedish, it has some English-language abilities.
“It is difficult to find runestones even if you are very interested,” says Sofia in a Swedish-language interview. “Many stones have been moved and do not remain in their original places. Other stones have disappeared and I have seen people try to find them even though the stones are no longer there. It can get confusing.”
The app took about a year-and-a-half to develop and will soon be updated with added features.
“Runestones usually have information signs, but many stones now lack a sign or the sign is destroyed by the weather,” Sofia adds. “Even if the sign is there, it often contains outdated information. With digital signage in the app, I can update the runestone’s text, reading and interpretation of the content at any time, and the user always receives up-to-date information about the runestone.”
Locating and learning about runestones in Sweden is much easier thanks to a recently created app. “Svenska Runstena” has an interactive map to see exactly where these medieval artefacts can be found and in what condition the stones are in.
Developed by Sofia Pereswetoff-Morath of Stockholm University together with Umami Produktion, the app is the first of its kind and contains 1,300 of Sweden’s approximately 2,000 runestones (with more entries to be added this fall). While the app is mainly in Swedish, it has some English-language abilities.
“It is difficult to find runestones even if you are very interested,” says Sofia in a Swedish-language interview. “Many stones have been moved and do not remain in their original places. Other stones have disappeared and I have seen people try to find them even though the stones are no longer there. It can get confusing.”
The app took about a year-and-a-half to develop and will soon be updated with added features.
“Runestones usually have information signs, but many stones now lack a sign or the sign is destroyed by the weather,” Sofia adds. “Even if the sign is there, it often contains outdated information. With digital signage in the app, I can update the runestone’s text, reading and interpretation of the content at any time, and the user always receives up-to-date information about the runestone.”
The Svenska Runstena can be downloaded from the iPhone App Store or on Android Google Play. See also their Facebook page.
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