# Arne Saknussemm — Journey to the Center of the Earth character guide

> Arne Saknussemm in Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Saknussemm, this Saknussemm, clever Saknussemm

**First appearance:** 0001-ii-a-mystery-to-be-solved-at-any-price

## Who they are

A sixteenth-century Icelandic alchemist whose coded runes, hidden in an ancient manuscript, map a route no living man has dared to follow.

## Relationships

### [Hans Bjelke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/characters/hans_bjelke)

_psychological_

Arne Saknussemm is a historical figure whose trail Hans follows as a guide, but they have no direct interaction.

## In the story

### [A Mystery to Be Solved at Any Price](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/ii-a-mystery-to-be-solved-at-any-price)

Implied as the author of the cryptic document, though not directly named in this chapter.

### [III: The Runic Writing Exercises the Professor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/iii-the-runic-writing-exercises-the-professor)

Identified as the author of the cryptogram; a 16th-century Icelandic alchemist.

### [The Enemy to Be Starved Into Submission](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/iv-the-enemy-to-be-starved-into-submission)

Saknussemm's cryptogram is the central object of the chapter, containing the dangerous secret that Axel discovers.

### [Famine, Then Victory, Followed by Dismay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/v-famine-then-victory-followed-by-dismay)

Saknussemm is the author of the decoded message that directs the descent into Snæfells crater.

### [Exciting Discussions About an Unparalleled Enterprise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/vi-exciting-discussions-about-an-unparalleled-enterprise)

Saknussemm is referenced as the author of the cryptogram and the alleged explorer who previously journeyed to the center of the Earth.

### [X: Interesting Conversations with Icelandic Savants](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/x-interesting-conversations-with-icelandic-savants)

Discussed as a 16th-century savant whose works were burned for heresy; his hidden secret is hinted at by Liedenbrock.

### [XVI: Boldly Down the Crater](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xvi-boldly-down-the-crater)

His name is found carved in Runic characters on a rock in the crater, confirming his prior journey.

### [XXXIX: Forest Scenery Illuminated by Electricity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxxix-forest-scenery-illuminated-by-electricity)

Referenced through the discovery of his initials 'A. S.' carved on a granite slab, confirming his earlier exploration.

### [Preparations for Blasting a Passage to the Centre of the Earth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xl-preparations-for-blasting-a-passage-to-the-centre-of-the-earth)

Saknussemm's engraved initials and iron point are discovered, confirming his journey. The Professor eulogizes him and names Cape Saknussemm after him.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/characters/arne_saknussemm
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/characters