Long before the arrival of humans, bees and trees, Earth was teeming with microorganisms. To this day, though invisible, most life on Earth is microbial. Even though bacteria and viruses are often thought of as agents of dirt and disease, most of them are crucial for the survival of humans and other creatures. They are pioneers of ecosystems, custodians of the atmosphere and ancestors of all multicellular life.

The project Microbial Runestones calls for an appreciation of this invisible part of nature. Runestones were traditionally raised in honour of virtuous humans and their achievements. Praiseful words were set in stone to commemorate these people for generations to come. The Microbial Runestones celebrate microbes that have laid the foundations for life as we know it and continue to maintain balance on planet Earth. The represented microorganisms were selected in collaboration with microbiologists, and extended information on each species can be found on this website.

Take a walk and meet the runestones that honour our ancestors, who still live here today, in the Gauja National Park.