Stephennie Mulder is an associate professor of Medieval Islamic art and archaeology at the University of Texas at Austin. In a series of 60 tweets that you can read here, she explodes the claim, which has been breathlessly reported around the world, that a Viking burial cloth bears the word “Allah.” The establishment media loved the initial story, because it appeared to justify the Islamization of Sweden and substantiate other ridiculous claims that Muslims did everything before everyone else, and invented everything.
I myself wrote about how unlikely this claim was here.
“Viking textile did not feature word ‘Allah’, expert says,” by Lucy Pasha-Robinson, Independent, October 17, 2017:
An expert has disputed claims that Allah‘s name was embroidered into ancient Viking burial clothes – a discovery hailed as “staggering” when Swedish researchers announced their findings last week.
After reexamining the cloth, archaeologist Annika Larsson of Uppsala University claimed the silk patterns which were originally thought to be ordinary Viking Age decoration, showed a geometric Kufic script.
The patterns were found on woven bands as well as items of clothing in two separate grave sites, prompting the suggestion that Viking funeral customs had been influenced by Islam.
Media around the world including The Independent reported on the finding, but now a leading expert in mediaeval Islamic art and archaeology has disputed the claim and said the inscription contains “no Arabic at all.”
Stephennie Mulder, a professor from the University of Texas in Austin, said the error stems from a “serious problem of dating”.
She claims Kufic script did not occur until 500 years after the Viking age.
“It’s a style called square Kufic, and it’s common in Iran, C. Asia on architecture after 15th century,” she wrote on Twitter.
She said even if Kufic script did exist, the inscription embroidered into the textile still does not mean anything in Arabic.
“Let’s assume there are 10th century Central Asian textiles with square Kufic. Even so, it turns out Larsson’s drawing doesn’t say ‘Allah’,” she wrote.
“Instead the drawing says للله ‘lllah’, which basically makes no sense in Arabic.
“Arabic phrases like الحَمْد لله al-hamdulillah incorporate ‘l-lah’ but don’t stand alone, and it’s spelled لله with two uprights, not three.”
Finally, Prof Mulder claims the evidence of Islamic influence presented by Ms Larsson is based on “conjecture” and “supposition” rather than “proof”.
“The tablet-woven textile in the widely-dispersed press photograph shows only design of three uprights connected by a horizontal band,” she wrote.
“But reconstruction drawing by textile archaeologist Annika Larsson shows extensions on either side that include a ha.
“These extensions practically double width of band. Not mentioned in press accounts: Larsson’s extensions are entirely conjectural.”…
mccode says
“a discovery hailed as “staggering” when Swedish researchers announced their findings last week.”
Another manifestation of Stockholm Syndrome.
The only thing “staggering” is their blindness and delusional acceptance of nonsense.
gravenimage says
So true, mccode. Even if this *had* been accurate it would only have proven that some Viking copied an Arab design (even though this would be anachronistic), or–at most–that one or two Vikings had converted to Islam.
It would, of course, *not* prove that Sweden’s history was anything but pagan and Christian.
There was similar insanity a couple of years ago, when a ring with an Islamic design was found in a Viking grave:
“Islamic Ring Found in 9th-Century Viking Grave”
http://www.history.com/news/islamic-ring-found-in-9th-century-viking-grave
Of course, it is well known that Vikings loved jewelry, and traded or raided for it. There are other artifacts from central Asia, southern Europe, and eastern Europe in their burial grounds, as well.
They probably traded for the ring, and just liked its design. The idea that they knew–or cared–what the design meant is highly unlikely.
Manual Paleologos says
Yeah. My interpretation of it was that, if authentic, it probably meant that some Viking dude bought it or had it made while on a trading voyage. The Vikings traded extensively in moslem lands.
In other words, it didn’t mean nuthin’.
LB says
It’s like the Swedes are overjoyed because now they have a valid reason for bringing more muslims since Sweden is their ancestral homeland after all, they would just be coming home. Utter suicidal madness.
Donovan Nuera says
They can ALL be buried with Islamic embroidery now!!!
John Forbes says
The SWEDES bought into this nonsense ? More lies from the followers of ISLAM !!
Adrian says
The learned professor writes “Vikings had rich contacts w/Arab world”
They certainly did! Vikings raided Many nations of Europe to sell hundreds of thousands of fair-skinned blued eyed slaves for the Muslim world and young children for their Janissary armies…
Rich contacts, indeed!
mortimer says
‘Rich’ as in ‘slave trade’ … selling blonde Slavic girls to Islamic harems. PURE EVIL. That’s why so many Turks have European ancestry.
gravenimage says
*exactly*, Adrian and Mortimer.
Paul N Silas says
OFF TOPIC
The city of Gainesville FL and the surrounding Alachua county has been declared in a “State of Emergency” by Florida’s Government, due to a fake White Supremacist Richard Spencer speaking at the University of Florida. A massive number of Police (1,000+) have been brought into the area, along with two National Guard field hospitals as a huge Intifada presence is expected.
According to a friend I have within the area, all personnel, including medical units are required to wear body armor. The local radio stations are warning the citizens to stay away from the area or expect violence.
Why this is not being reported on in the media is strange to me!
Paul N Silas says
Spencer is an “agent provocateur ” who led the Occupy Wall Street” movement a Marxist movement paid for by Soros. The University of Florida is considered “The Berkley of the South”. Unlike the rest of the area which is hard Red State/ deep South country.
Spencer is no more a KKK member than Barrack Obama!
gravenimage says
Paul, I found the story covered at CNN:
“State of emergency declared ahead of white supremacist speech in Florida”
http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/17/us/university-florida-richard-spencer-speech/index.html
I am *no* fan of the repulsive white supremacist Richard Spencer–but declaring a “state of emergency” for his speaking seems more a political statement than any sort of reasonable response. Richard Spencer is disgusting but not violent.
But Paul, I have never heard that he led the Occupy Movement–do you have any proof of this?
Halal Bacon says
both groups believe in Valhalla non? /sarc
Robert Crawford says
Nope. Valhalla doesn’t have little boys for playthings.
mortimer says
I ‘conjecture’ that the pattern is composed of the RUNIC letters ‘feoh’ and ‘wynne’ which represent ‘wealth’ and ‘happiness’.
Denis MacEoin says
Mulder doesn’t know what she’s talking about. Kufic was one of the earliest Arabic scripts, starting the 7th, not the 15th century (AD). Any Arabist knows that. It was a standard form for Qur’anic manuscripts and inscriptions on buildings, for which it is still often used. How could she be ‘an expert’ and not know that? It’s hard to read the writing on the fabric itself, but it’s quite plausible that it is there. Vikings traded with the Islamic world, so they could well have bought the fabric without even guessing there was writing on it. And I’m not sure Mulder is right about the li’llah. I think early Kufic repeated the ‘l’ since the use of a shadda to jon two ‘l’ is a later development in Arabic script. One wouold have to see the whole thing to work out what went before or after the li’llah. On its own it means just ‘for/to God’, but it can be cpombined as in al-hamdu li’llah or even li’llah al-hamd. Even a bismi’llah could have the Allah end written like that.
Pet Charles says
I don’t know if you are serious or not. But the issue is not “Kufic” language but “square Kufic” language. It is “square Kufic” style that the Swedish professor used to allege Islamic ties, and the earliest recorded version of that style was 500 years after the item was aged. Therefore, it could not be square Kufic writing.
gravenimage says
True, Pet Charles. Here is more on Square Kufic, for anyone who is interested:
http://www.academia.edu/7852093/Chapter_Two_What_is_Square_Kufic_Terminology_Origins_and_Conceptual_Frameworks
Claiming that this style was found in this grave is simply anachronistic.
MR up-side-down says
When i first read the Swedish report i thought about the contact Vikings had with Muslims ..the Viking raided Muslim cities in Spain..taking what ever they could carry away ..gold silks swords …the ‘Muslim Moors’ feared the Viking raids… burning and looting…
also Viking went to Constanipoal to be the Emperors shock troops..they were like modern day football hero.. they had gold drink women best food and housing…
They took castles in Italian provences held by the ‘Moors’ untakable castles fell to these Viking troops empoyed by Constaintinopal..
The crusaders brought back silks from The holy lands too…
Hans Bloor says
It could have been carried by two swallows.
exposesithlords says
is that european swallows or african swallows?
Dan says
Nooowww, wait a minute.
The Vikings, for over a century, demanded the “Dhengel” a yearly ransom in exchange for not raiding, slaughtering and raping.
Dhengel? Dhimmi?
Protection money to not get raped and slaughtered?
C’mon people! The dots are there!
And why is it, the Muslims did Sweden first, as they seem to be the worst off of all of Europe? Instead of catching a cab to most of the rest of Europe first?
And aren’t deserts “Seas of Sand?” with no drinkable water? The oceans are just the wet versions of a desert.
Coincidence?
I think not!
sarc
Robert Crawford says
From what I recall they didn’t demand the Danegeld, it was offered to them in exchange for “peace”.
Jaladhi says
Ha, ha, ha… these people call themselves “experts”!! Experts of what – BSing and hoodwinking!!
Dan says
Don’t know what happened to my post so….
To repeat.
I don’t think we should be so hasty here, about dismissing the Allah Viking connection.
I mean for over a century, I think around the time of Allah, the Vikings demanded a yearly tribute from European nations, it was called the “Dhengel.” so they wouldn’t raid, slaughter, and rape.
Dhengel? Dhimmie? Both start with Dh. Coincidence? I think not!
And why would the Muslims go first to frozen cold Sweden, when a cab ride would have taken them to most of much warmer Europe?
Maaaaaybe they knew they had sanctuary there.
I mean, it’s not like the Swedes are giving them the boot, after rape is up 1400%, and the Swedish law don’t seem to apply in all those No Go Zones, and the police aren’t even trying to root them out.
And with the Scandinavian countries you can have have two pronged assault on all of Europe!
The dots people! C’mon! Connect the dots!
Sarc. lol. Insert Twilight Zone theme. Whatever.
No Fear says
The design looks nothing like ‘Allah’. It depicts three people sitting in a viking boat, the boat has the traditional animal sculpture at the front (bow).
Benedict says
Even if a Viking textile featuring the word “Allah” really was found it doesn’t follow that Islam and its barbarism should be reinstated and celebrated in modern-day Sweden. To the contrary it should be celebrated that the Swedes of old had the good sense to get rid of Allah and his hordes of bums.
Saipan Sam says
Try not to confuse the Islamo-fascists with facts… you’ll give them a headache. In any event, if a news piece does not fit the ‘narrative’, it will be ignored anyway.
These are exceptionally dangerous people
Guest says
Really? You don’t say? *sarcasm*
gravenimage says
Professor of Medieval Islamic art: “Viking ‘Allah’ textile actually doesn’t have Allah on it”
………………………
Well, good for Professor Mulder for speaking some sanity here.
On the other hand, even she seems bound to say nice things about Islam.
After all, Viking contacts with the Muslim world were mostly “rich” only if you are impressed with slaving.
The Istanbulian says
So maybe that means the Muslims were influenced by the Vikings…this means Islamic lands really belong to the Scandinavians
Sarah says
Only the Swede’s could be so utterly THICK as to cling to an easily disproven, factually inaccurate line of nonsense like this. Especially when Islam is involved.
Remind me to never, ever, ever listen to any ‘evidence’ or research that comes from a Swedish professional in the STEM areas. They clearly cannot be trusted to do even some basic bloody research to back up their claims – and its left to others to disprove what they shout and cheer as being ‘proof’.
It just makes the Swede’s look so unutterably dumb, basically.
Donald R Laster Jr says
Even if the word “Allah” was present all it would mean is “the god”. The word “Allah” is not a name. One would need the rest of the context.
People keep trying to pretend Islam has been a positive influence and has created good things. Islam has created nothing but disaster and death since Mohammad created his government – especially after his lies about the god he worshiped Hubal (Baal the moon god) was rejected. Islam’s history is nothing but death and destruction.
Welcome Black Carter says
I have to disagree. The only way “allah” is not a proper name is if the moslem “allah” and God of the Bible are one. They are not. This is part of satan’s deception.
Donald R Laster Jr says
The word “allah” is not a name. It means “the god”.
Craig W says
Based on the photo (left) of the textile pattern it looks like a diagonal line with a nine (or 6) and a V above it.
If these “researchers” needed to use a mirror to see Kufic script, it’s like an ambulance in the rear view mirror, or Elvis’ face on a potato chip … suspend your disbelief and it is there!
It also looks like a guitar strap.
Hey, was Jimi Hendrix a time traveling gypsy? 😉
Benedict says
How very foolish. To think the lengths that these Muslim sympathizers would go to make anything in this world sound Islamic and to show that Islam did everything and where everywhere. Stupid lot
Valkyrie Ziege says
; I told you so! The pareidolia of the paranoid Muhammadans.
This is more proof that religions cause brain damage.
thesailor says
Islam is not a religion. Religion is a man’s sincere attempt to make sense of existence and his place in it. No amount of fools or charlatans or muddled thinking can invalidate that intrinsic concept.
Islam is not a religion, in this sense; it is more like a motorbike gang on camels, deluding idiots into believing that it exists to collect for charity. It is humanity’s cancer, and if not destroyed, it will kill its host.
Dave W says
I noticed in another article she said an Iranian friend of hers told her it said Allah. Some professor!
UNCLE VLADDI says
Vikings had “rich contacts” with muslims?! HOW?!
Did they teach them their glorious death in battle creed?
Did they sell slaves to them (possibly).
But we know muslims hate pagans, so it’s more likely wacademic BS!
Christopher says
Unsurprising, but good to see that crackpot theory officially shot down.
Musalmaanmasala says
Muslims will do anything to give their “allah” and mohammed some credibility.
For 1400 years they have tried to find “allah” annd “mohammed” mentioned in the BIble. They have dredged the Bible and have found all sorts of “clues” from “a prophet like Moses” to a verse in Song of Soloman to Jesus’ “Eloi” on the cross.
They have GOTTEN NOWHERE.
…..and now they have “found” allah in Sweden. 🙂
Donald R Laster Jr says
The god of Islam is in the Bible. The god of Islam is Hubal and is historically called Baal. Remember, the word “allah” mean “the god”. Hubal is associated with the moon.