A female Viking warrior confirmed by genomics

Bibliographic Data

ID8319346
AuthorsCharlotte Hedenstierna‐jonson (0000-0003-2250-0463, Archaeological Research Laboratory, Department of Archaeology and Classical Studies Stockholm University, Lilla Frescativägen 7 106 91 Stockholm Sweden, corresponding author), A Kjellström (0000-0001-8964-3771, Archaeological Research Laboratory, Department of Archaeology and Classical Studies Stockholm University, Lilla Frescativägen 7 106 91 Stockholm Sweden), Torun Zachrisson (0000-0002-5446-210X, Archaeological Research Laboratory, Department of Archaeology and Classical Studies Stockholm University, Lilla Frescativägen 7 106 91 Stockholm Sweden), Maja Krzewińska (0000-0002-6702-8724, Archaeological Research Laboratory, Department of Archaeology and Classical Studies Stockholm University, Lilla Frescativägen 7 106 91 Stockholm Sweden), Veronica Sobrado (Archaeological Research Laboratory, Department of Archaeology and Classical Studies Stockholm University, Lilla Frescativägen 7 106 91 Stockholm Sweden), Neil Price (Department of Archaeology and Ancient History Uppsala University, Engelska Parken, Thunbergsvägen 3H 751 26 Uppsala Sweden), Torsten Günther (0000-0002-9369-2450, Department Organismal Biology and Sci Life Lab Evolutionary Biology Centre, Norbyvägen 18 A 752 36 Uppsala Sweden), Mattias Jakobsson (0000-0001-7840-7853, Department Organismal Biology and Sci Life Lab Evolutionary Biology Centre, Norbyvägen 18 A 752 36 Uppsala Sweden), Anders Götherström (0000-0001-8579-1304, Archaeological Research Laboratory, Department of Archaeology and Classical Studies Stockholm University, Lilla Frescativägen 7 106 91 Stockholm Sweden), Jan Storå (0000-0001-6319-7857, Osteoarchaeological Research Laboratory, Department of Archaeology and Classical Studies Stockholm University, Lilla Frescativägen 7 106 91 Stockholm Sweden)
Year2017
Volume164
Issue4
Pages853-860
Publication date2017-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0002-9483 • E-ISSN: 1096-8644
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/ajpa.23308
PMID28884802
OpenAlexW2751544748
LanguageEN
Citations received63
References cited47

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study has been to confirm the sex and the affinity of an individual buried in a well-furnished warrior grave (Bj 581) in the Viking Age town of Birka, Sweden. Previously, based on the material and historical records, the male sex has been associated with the gender of the warrior and such was the case with Bj 581. An earlier osteological classification of the individual as female was considered controversial in a historical and archaeological context. A genomic confirmation of the biological sex of the individual was considered necessary to solve the issue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Genome-wide sequence data was generated in order to confirm the biological sex, to support skeletal integrity, and to investigate the genetic relationship of the individual to ancient individuals as well as modern-day groups. Additionally, a strontium isotope analysis was conducted to highlight the mobility of the individual. RESULTS: The genomic results revealed the lack of a Y-chromosome and thus a female biological sex, and the mtDNA analyses support a single-individual origin of sampled elements. The genetic affinity is close to present-day North Europeans, and within Sweden to the southern and south-central region. Nevertheless, the Sr values are not conclusive as to whether she was of local or nonlocal origin. DISCUSSION: The identification of a female Viking warrior provides a unique insight into the Viking society, social constructions, and exceptions to the norm in the Viking time-period. The results call for caution against generalizations regarding social orders in past societies

Archaeology · Biology · Context (archaeology) · Evolutionary biology · Gene · Genealogy · Genome · Genomics · Geography · Osteology · Forensic and Genetic Research · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · Genetics · History · Paleopathology and ancient diseases

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