Mitochondrial DNA Proves Women Were Instrumental Viking Colonizers

To see more Viking articles, click here. BYALLISON ECK The Vikings weren’t just masculine raiders and pillagers. They were adventurous sea-faring women, too. Previous studies had presumed that Viking men brought women over to new colonies after they’d already settled in new territory; for example, a 2001 study claimed that Norse men first settled the land andContinue reading “Mitochondrial DNA Proves Women Were Instrumental Viking Colonizers”

Brutal Viking ‘blood eagle’ ritual execution was anatomically possible – new research

To see more Viking articles, click here. By Luke John Murphy, Heidi Fuller, and Monte Gates Famed for their swift longboats and bloody incursions, Vikings have long been associated with brutal, over-the-top violence. Between the eighth and 11th centuries, these groups left their Nordic homelands to make their fortunes by trading and raiding across Europe.Continue reading “Brutal Viking ‘blood eagle’ ritual execution was anatomically possible – new research”

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”