Thanks for the info. I see that exhibit was back in 2000 or so. Interesting stuff. I was interested in it as a kid growing up in Minnesota. On the lookout for stones on my tromps through the woods!
Just found some site about rune stones - some found in Oklahoma that some think date back to 1100 AD. Interesting stuff. Here is from one site regarding the Kennsington stone. Along with the experts dating it and the incription - seems pretty obvious to me:
“...It is known King Magnus of Sweden sent that a party to Greenland in 1355. They never returned. It is very possible that these men [Kennsington Runestone guys] were from that party. The stone bears the date of 1362. The transliteration of the text is generally accepted as:
“Eight Goths and 22 Norwegians on a journey of exploration from Vinland very far west. We had camp by 2 rocky islands one day’s journey north from this stone. We were out fishing one day. After we came home we found 10 men red with blood and dead. AVM [Ave Maria] save us from evil.”
The inscription along the edge of the stone says:
“Have 10 men by the sea to look after our ships 14 days’ journey from this island. Year 1362.”