Runestone styles

[2] Below follows a brief presentation of the various styles by showing sample runestones according to Rundata's annotation.

RAK is the oldest style and covers the period 980-1015 AD, but the Rundata project also includes the older runestones in this group, as well as younger ones.

This style has no dragon heads and the ends of the runic bands are straight.

In the styles called Pr1, Pr2, Pr3, Pr4 and Pr5, the runic bands end with animal heads seen in profile.

The style is common in western Södermanland and it is characterized by bordered crosses.

The runestone styles were part of the general evolution of art in Scandinavia . This is a part of the decoration of the Urnes stave church which is in the same as the later runestone styles.