# Does the weathering of the grooves show the inscription is old? · Kensington Runestone > Four answers have been proposed. Without a calibrated rate for this rock and setting, the weathering cannot date the carving. leads, with evidence 1 for… Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/kensington-runestone/questions/QST0CT1HVAY1BW1/does-the-weathering-of-the-grooves-show-the-inscription-is Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:57:47+00:00 --- **0** # Does the weathering of the grooves show the inscription is old? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·Part of [When was the inscription carved?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/kensington-runestone/questions/QST0CT1HTVA12MW/when-was-the-inscription-carved)·4 answers·0·0 following **Most likely: without a calibrated rate for this rock and setting, the weathering cannot date the carving** Ahead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted. ## Where it stands Four answers have been proposed. Without a calibrated rate for this rock and setting, the weathering cannot date the carving. leads, with evidence 1 for: partly supported by its tests. Three are still possible. ## Why it matters Weathering is the only physical evidence offered for a medieval date⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CT1HKRR3ECW/runestone-cowboy)⁠[[2]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CT1HMG61YZV/being-hoaxed-by-claims-of-hoaxes-comment-on-stroth). ## Answers 4 [**Without a calibrated rate for this rock and setting, the weathering cannot date the carving.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/kensington-runestone/answers/ANS0CT1J0764NJK/without-a-calibrated-rate-for-this-rock-and-setting-the) Partly supported by its tests Evidence: 1 for Most likely [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/kensington-runestone/answers/ANS0CT1J0PT7RSK/none-of-these) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: none yet Still possible [**The grooves are weathered more than a century of exposure could produce, so the carving is at least 200 years…** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/kensington-runestone/answers/ANS0CT1HZ7Y7XJG/the-grooves-are-weathered-more-than-a-century-of-exposure) Failed a test; not refuted outright Evidence: 1 for Disputed [**The weathering is consistent with burial and exposure since the late nineteenth century.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/kensington-runestone/answers/ANS0CT1HZQJ4A37/the-weathering-is-consistent-with-burial-and-exposure-since) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: 1 for Still possible ## History 1. 2019[Artec 3D puts forward: the weathering is consistent with burial and exposure since the late nineteenth century.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CT1HM0J42C2/kensington-runestone-3d-scan) 1. 2019[Artec 3D: relative depth of calcite and greywacke runes was read as about 130 years of wear.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CT1HM0J42C2/kensington-runestone-3d-scan)For: The weathering is consistent with burial and exposure since the late nineteenth century. 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/kensington-runestone/questions/QST0CT1HVAY1BW1/does-the-weathering-of-the-grooves-show-the-inscription-is%23discussion) Help with this question [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ] [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/kensington-runestone/questions/QST0CT1HVAY1BW1/does-the-weathering-of-the-grooves-show-the-inscription-is%23add-answer) [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ] [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/kensington-runestone/questions/QST0CT1HVAY1BW1/does-the-weathering-of-the-grooves-show-the-inscription-is%23add-evidence) [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ] [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/kensington-runestone/questions/QST0CT1HVAY1BW1/does-the-weathering-of-the-grooves-show-the-inscription-is%23add-question) [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ] [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/kensington-runestone/questions/QST0CT1HVAY1BW1/does-the-weathering-of-the-grooves-show-the-inscription-is%23add-source) Where it fits Kensington Runestone [**When was the inscription carved?** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/kensington-runestone/questions/QST0CT1HTVA12MW/when-was-the-inscription-carved)Key question · The inscription was carved in Minnesota between about 1885 and 1898. **Does the weathering of the grooves show the inscription is old?** You're here · without a calibrated rate for this rock and setting, the weathering cannot date the carving [Where do the Kensington rune forms and numerals come from?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/kensington-runestone/questions/QST0CT1HV342PKD/where-do-the-kensington-rune-forms-and-numerals-come-from)Most likely · the forms come from the rune row in Eric Ström's 1876 textbook as transmitted among Swedish rune writers [ Ask a question under this one ]