Category Archives: learn old norse

Viking DNA and the pitfalls of genetic ancestry tests

To see Viking articles, click here. By Anna Källén and Daniel Strand A middle-aged white man raises his sword to the skies and roars to the gods. The results of his genetic ancestry test have just arrived in his suburban mailbox. His eyes fill with tears as he learns that he is “0.012% Viking”. TheseContinue reading “Viking DNA and the pitfalls of genetic ancestry tests”

The Viking warrior who turned out to be a woman

Should we rethink the role of women in ancient societies? For more than 100 years, a high-ranking Viking warrior was assumed to be male. Dr Charlotte Hedenstierna-Jonson has been studying the grave found in the 19th Century. Her team carried out a DNA test on the bones, revealing that they belonged to a biological woman.Continue reading “The Viking warrior who turned out to be a woman”