A Viking Journey?
This display details one
theory of how Vikings could
have reached Oklahoma.
This display details one
theory of how Vikings could
have reached Oklahoma.
Closer View of the Runes
The mysterious carvings
bring a steady stream of
visitors to the park.
The mysterious carvings
bring a steady stream of
visitors to the park.
ExploreSouthernHistory.com - The Heavener Runestone, Oklahoma
The Mystery of the Heavener Runestone
| Closer View of the Inscription There are different theories as to the translation of the inscription on the Heavener Runestone. |
A Relic of Vikings in Oklahoma?
One of the most unusual historic sites in the
South can be found on a mountainside in
Oklahoma. Some believe that Vikings came
here more than 1,000 years ago and left a
sign of their passing carved on the face of a
massive boulder.
The huge rock, now called the Heavener
Runestone, is the centerpiece of a state park
in Heavener, Oklahoma.
To say that the theory of Vikings roaming
around prehistoric Oklahoma is controversial
would be putting it mildly. The scientific
community does not consider the Heavener
Runestone an authentic artifact of the Viking
era. Others, however, firmly believe that the
mysterious carving is more than 1,000 years
old.
Public attention was first brought to the
Heavener Runestone decades ago by the
late Mrs. Gloria Farley. She heard of the
unusual inscriptions and arranged for a local
guide to take her to the site. After consulting
with students of ancient languages, Mrs.
Farley became convinced that the carving
had been left by ancient Norse explorers.
One of the leading diffusionists (people who
believe in travel to the Americas by other
cultures prior to Columbus) of her time, Mrs.
Farley went on to write a book outlining her
theories about the Heavener Runestone and
other mysterious carvings around the country.
Mrs. Farley and her supporters came to
believe that the inscription on the stone could
be interpreted to read "Glomesdal" or "Valley
of Glome." Glome, they theorized, was a
viking explorer who claimed the little ravine of
his own centuries ago.
With due regard to the late Mrs. Farley and
the believers in her theories, there are some
things about the Heavener Runestone that
raise questions about its authenticity.
South can be found on a mountainside in
Oklahoma. Some believe that Vikings came
here more than 1,000 years ago and left a
sign of their passing carved on the face of a
massive boulder.
The huge rock, now called the Heavener
Runestone, is the centerpiece of a state park
in Heavener, Oklahoma.
To say that the theory of Vikings roaming
around prehistoric Oklahoma is controversial
would be putting it mildly. The scientific
community does not consider the Heavener
Runestone an authentic artifact of the Viking
era. Others, however, firmly believe that the
mysterious carving is more than 1,000 years
old.
Public attention was first brought to the
Heavener Runestone decades ago by the
late Mrs. Gloria Farley. She heard of the
unusual inscriptions and arranged for a local
guide to take her to the site. After consulting
with students of ancient languages, Mrs.
Farley became convinced that the carving
had been left by ancient Norse explorers.
One of the leading diffusionists (people who
believe in travel to the Americas by other
cultures prior to Columbus) of her time, Mrs.
Farley went on to write a book outlining her
theories about the Heavener Runestone and
other mysterious carvings around the country.
Mrs. Farley and her supporters came to
believe that the inscription on the stone could
be interpreted to read "Glomesdal" or "Valley
of Glome." Glome, they theorized, was a
viking explorer who claimed the little ravine of
his own centuries ago.
With due regard to the late Mrs. Farley and
the believers in her theories, there are some
things about the Heavener Runestone that
raise questions about its authenticity.
| Copyright 2008 by Dale Cox All rights reserved. |
 | |  | |  |
Waterfall and Footbridge
During rainy weather a very
nice waterfall tumbles over
the rocks and into the ravine.
During rainy weather a very
nice waterfall tumbles over
the rocks and into the ravine.
The Waterfall at Heavener
This is another view of the
waterfall at Heavener
Runestone State Park.
This is another view of the
waterfall at Heavener
Runestone State Park.
| Runes in Heavener, Oklahoma These strange carvings have prompted some to believe that Vikings once roamed Oklahoma. |
The carvings on the stone are runes
(symbols that can be translated to letters),
but they can also be interpreted to read
"Gnomesdal" or "Gnomes Valley."
And in fact, the beautiful mountain ravine at
Heavener Runestone State Park does look
like the kind of place where our ancestors
believed gnomes could be found. Plus, there
is the fact that a group of local residents gave
a signed statement to the State of Oklahoma
some years ago confessing to the carving of
the stone.
The state park service does not consider the
runestone to be an actual archaeological site.
Either way, it is a fun topic for speculation
and probably will be debated by believers
and non-believers for decades to come.
Heavener Runestone State Park is a
beautiful facility that features nature trails, a
paved sidewalk leading through the rive to
the shelter that protects the runestone, picnic
areas and beautiful wet weather waterfalls.
(symbols that can be translated to letters),
but they can also be interpreted to read
"Gnomesdal" or "Gnomes Valley."
And in fact, the beautiful mountain ravine at
Heavener Runestone State Park does look
like the kind of place where our ancestors
believed gnomes could be found. Plus, there
is the fact that a group of local residents gave
a signed statement to the State of Oklahoma
some years ago confessing to the carving of
the stone.
The state park service does not consider the
runestone to be an actual archaeological site.
Either way, it is a fun topic for speculation
and probably will be debated by believers
and non-believers for decades to come.
Heavener Runestone State Park is a
beautiful facility that features nature trails, a
paved sidewalk leading through the rive to
the shelter that protects the runestone, picnic
areas and beautiful wet weather waterfalls.