Viking prophecy engraved on stone comes true more than 1,000 years after it was predicted

An inscription written after the death of the son of a Viking warrior in the 9th century forecast a “climate crisis” similar to weather conditions which occurred 300 years before.

It has taken many years, and a number of historical scientists to decipher the messages, but the team at the University of Gothenburg has been successful.

Research published in Futhrac: International Journal of Runic Studies, investigates the message written on the 1,200 year old granite slab.

Per Holmberg, a researcher, said: “This study proposes instead the inscription deals with an anxiety triggered by a son’s death and the fear of a new climate crisis similar to the catastrophic one after 536 AD.”

536 AD has been dubbed “the worst year to be alive”, with the planet attacked by famine, disease and extreme fog.

Scandinavia was hit by starvation, losing over half of its population because of famine, or departure of people to search for food.

Researchers, led by Holmberg, worked to decode the runes on the stone which stood at a gigantic eight foot.

Nine riddles were written on the stone, five of which referred to the sun, and the other four on the Norse god, Odin.

The message also spoke of Theodoric the Great, a king who reigned for over 50 years in the Dark Ages, and whose rule was considered to be a bad omen.

After his death on August 30, 526, a number of volcanos erupted across Europe, plunging the continent into darkness and killing crops.

READ MORE: Vikings archaeology news: Ancient slab warned of climate catastrophe

At the time, Viking leaders were thought to have influence on crop control, which is what makes Varin’s warning importance.

Scientists believe the stone could refer to a “battle with the weather”, with the coded script referencing severe conditions in cryptic detail.

The first riddle refers to a fierce battle between the sun and the moon.

When a wolf enters and kills the moon, making it red with blood, chaos ensues.

This is only resolved when the wolf is killed, restoring balance to the land once more.

Varin was thought to be terrified that more adverse weather conditions could topple his reign because of failed harvests.

He hid the predictions of weather chaos in the stones to warn others, and to pay tribute to his son.

It is believed that Varin’s predictions may be coming true, with Australia’s skies turned red by a huge dust cloud which engulfed many parts of New South Wales.

A “ring of fire” was also created in the sky by the most recent solar eclipse.

source: express.co.uk