Fällbro Runestone (Uppland Runic Inscription Fv1946;258)

Sweden is full of runestones, most of which are used as memorials to lost family members, (such as Uppland Runic Inscription 53 in Stockholm), descriptions of historical events (such as Sigurdsristningen in Eskilstuna). Often these come with decorations, often in the form of dragons, and in rare instances, a person is depicted. 

The runestone, officially known as Uppland Runic Inscription Fv1946;258, is one such rune stone that dates back to the 11th century. This inscription and is carved on a rock-face of a cliff and was discovered in 1946. It is located on an Iron Age burial field and was carved by runemaster Visäte. The main feature of the stone is written inside of a dragon with spindly decorations and legs. On top of the snake stands a man who resembles a modern-day hitchhiker, but is thought to be performing some kind of spell. This man is considered the oldest image of a Täby resident, and his depiction is used for many touristic signs in the area. 

According to the writing on the runestone, the memorial was created by three sons in memory of their father. Translated from Old Norse, the inscription on the stone roughly reads: “Vig and Otrygg and Balle had the memorial erected after their father Rodger.”