Runic alphabets are ancient writing systems used by Germanic peoples, primarily in Northern Europe, from around the 2nd to the 8th centuries. The most well-known runic alphabet is the Elder Futhark, which consists of 24 characters, each called a rune. These runes were often carved into wood, stone, or metal and were used for various purposes, including inscriptions, rituals, and marking territory. Later variations of runes, such as the Younger Futhark and the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc, emerged as the Germanic languages evolved. Runes were not only a means of communication but also held symbolic meanings, often associated with magic and divination in Norse mythology.