France, Jan. 22 -- What Norwegian archaeologists believe to be the world's oldestrune stone, a block of sandstone inscribed with an early Scandinavian alphabet, has gone on display in Oslo. It may date from the time of Jesus Christ.

At almost 2,000 years old, the rune stone is severalcenturies older than previous discoveries.

The square brown sandstone rock, measuring about 30x30 centimetres, was found during the excavation of an ancient burial ground in late 2021 nearTyrifjorden, in the east of Norway, ahead of construction work on a railway line.

Carbon dating of bones and wood fragments found in a grave beside the rune suggest that it was inscribed sometime between year one and 250 AD, Oslo'sMuseum of Cultural History said.

Normall...