A female Viking warrior confirmed by genomics

Abstract

ObjectivesThe 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 methodsGenome‐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.ResultsThe 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.DiscussionThe 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.

Authors’ Response on research into contextual influences and forensic decision making

“…Many of the visual methods used in forensic anthropology are acknowledged to be subjective in nature, and have a general reliance upon observation and the specialized experience of the observer (e.g., Grivas and Komar (12)). It is important to note that contrary to the letter (1) that implies that experience and practicing experts are immune to bias, a recent study by Hederstierna-Jonson et al (13) shows that sex estimation of human remains appeared to be influenced by items associated with the remains ("warrior equipment") and prior understandings of the cultural traditions of that time period. The authors of that study go as far to conclude that their findings signal that "great caution against sweeping interpretations based on archaeological context and preconceptions" (13) should be taken.…”

Archaeogenetics in Popular Media: Contemporary Implications of Ancient DNA

“…On 7 September 2017, an article with the title 'A female Viking warrior confirmed by genomics' was published in American Journal of Physical Anthropology (Hedenstierna-Jonson et al 2017). The article presented the results from DNA and strontium isotope analyses of samples from a human skeleton uncovered in 1878, along with two horses and the typical equipment of a warrior, in grave Bj 581 in the excavations at the Viking Age town of Birka, Sweden.…”

“…Then the high-born lady saw them play the wounding game, she resolved on a hard course and flung off her cloak; she took a naked sword and fought for her kinsmen's lives, she was handy at fighting, wherever she aimed her blows. (Larrington 1996, in Hedenstierna-Jonson et al 2017.…”

Viking warrior women? Reassessing Birka chamber grave Bj.581

“…In September 2017, the American Journal of Physical Anthropology published an article by the current authors entitled ‘A female Viking warrior confirmed by genomics’ (Hedenstierna-Jonson et al 2017). It presented the results of extensive ancient DNA analysis, following earlier osteological studies.…”