Två bennålar från kv. Trädgårdsmästaren 9–10, Sigtuna

The aim of this paper is to provide new readings and interpretations of two previously uninterpreted runic bone needles from Sigtuna. They come from the same area, the Trädgårdsmästaren 9–10 block in Sigtuna, and have been dated to the period between the 1000s and the beginning of the 1100s. They are currently stored at Sigtuna Museum with the inventory numbers SF 1998 and SF 21373. Earlier readings are first discussed, followed by new readings of one rune on each. The subsequent main section of the paper presents new interpretations. These both include rare words, hūnn ‘block, knob, mast-top, sail etc.’ on the first needle and hnūðr ‘knob, ball, heavy clump etc.’ on the second. These words are to a certain extent synonymous and have undergone similar semantic changes. They are discussed at length before final interpretations are proposed. For each needle the interpretation of the runic text is connected to its form and appearance, one decorated with what seems to be a mast and sail and the other having a very large head. It is argued that both inscriptions might be interpreted as riddles including a linguistic as well as visual aspect. The texts in translation are respectively: ‘See the sail!’ or ‘May you be the sail!’, and ‘You are the knob’.