A lady of leadership: 3D-scanning of runestones in search of Queen Thyra and the Jelling Dynasty

Research reveals that Queen Thyra, a figure traditionally linked to the Jelling Mounds and Harald Bluetooth's dynasty, was commemorated on more runestones than any other individual in Viking-Age Denmark. By employing 3D-scanning techniques to analyze rune carving styles, orthography, and language, the study identifies a consistent hand—Ravnunge-Tue—as the carver of both the Jelling 2 and Læborg stones. This finding suggests Thyra played a significant leadership role in the formation of the Danish state during the 10th century AD.

Imer, L. M., Kitzler Åhfeldt, L., & Zedig, H. (2023). A lady of leadership: 3D-scanning of runestones in search of Queen Thyra and the Jelling Dynasty. Antiquity, 97(395), 1262–1278. https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2023.108