War is a woman's business: DNA analysis confirmed the existence of Viking women
Legends of the Viking age about fearless female warriors who fought side by side with men have long aroused suspicions that at that time women could dominate the battlefield. Due to the lack of evidence, this idea remained controversial for a long time and was considered a figment of the popular imagination. But now scientists have confirmed the existence of a Viking woman for the first time using DNA extracted from a tenth-century skeleton buried in the Swedish Viking town of Birka.
Experts say that this woman was a high-ranking commander who led troops into battle.
The remains were first discovered in the 1880s. Despite morphological features suggesting that the skeleton belonged to a woman, the grave itself led some experts to think that it was a man.
Weapons were found in the grave, including a sword and arrows, two horses, as well as a board game, which indicated that the deceased Viking was well versed in tactics and strategy, as well as was a high-ranking person.
In a study published in the American Journal of Physical Anthropology, experts decided to confirm the gender of the Viking found. They analyzed the root of the tooth and the bone of the forearm.
DNA analysis showed that this Viking had two X chromosomes and no Y chromosome, or, more simply, the warrior was a woman.
Despite the military role, no injuries were found in the skeleton.
According to experts, the new study will put an end to a long discussion about the existence of Viking women.