This Is What Viking DNA Was Actually Like. The Photos Are Strikingly Scary (Discover The Mystery)
When many of us picture Vikings, it is common to envision pop culture's depiction of relentless warriors conquering others' land while fearlessly protecting their people. They often have that distinct look of pale skin, piercing blue eyes, and long blonde hair.
However, we've been getting the truth about Vikings all wrong. A DNA sequencing study led to the debunking of some commonly held beliefs about Vikings and unlocked the truth about their history. Keep on clicking on to learn what experts discovered that proved us all wrong!
What Do We Know About Vikings?
History books have often painted a frightening picture of Vikings, describing them as some of the world's most ruthless warriors who have a knack for causing mayhem and destruction.
The Scandinavian warriors are known for watching out for and preserving their own kind, often by violent means. At least, that's what we've been led to believe.
The Origin Of The Word "Viking"
Vikings are most commonly defined as being of Scandinavian descent. They are widely understood to have raided and pirated their way through Europe from the eighth to the 11th century.
In fact, according to Britannica, the word "Viking" actually comes from the Old Norse word "Vikingr," which means pirate.
There Are Many Long-Held Beliefs About Vikings
Vikings have long been known as Scandinavian traders and pirates. They embarked on elaborate voyages during which they colonized much of Europe before heading to North America.
While much of these beliefs have been debunked using DNA, experts have been able to confirm that the Vikings did exist.
The Vikings Were Extremely Resourceful
Vikings were highly intelligent and resourceful people. They were self-reliant, and known for maximizing their resources in order to survive.
Vikings learned how to harness the winds in order to create faster-moving sea vessels for their voyages. So why did they resort to pillaging as a means of survival?
The Vikings Began As Fishermen And Farmers
It has long been known that Vikings originated from Scandinavia and were primarily fishermen and farmers before developing the ruthless reputation that they have now.
When their circumstances changed, the Vikings had to adapt in order to survive. So how did they come to garner such a fearsome reputation?
One Theory Suggests That Vikings Were Forced To Take Extreme Measures
Experts have long speculated about why the Vikings resorted to such extreme survival methods.
One leading theory suggests that they ran out of fertile land and their villages became overpopulated, leading them to rely on their wit and weapons to make a living.
Some Theorists Suggest That Traders Are To Blame
Another theory suggests that traders influenced the Vikings to travel overseas in search of treasure that would bring them wealth.
Whatever the reason may be that Vikings resorted to extreme measures in order to survive, they soon garnered a fearsome reputation for their terrifying raids and exploits.
A DNA Study Gives Us More Information
Much of the information that historians have gathered about Vikings has come from centuries-old runestones that the Vikings carved themselves using the runic alphabet.
Thanks to a DNA study, experts have an even more accurate picture of what the Vikings were really like.
The New Study Changes What We Know About Vikings
This new genetic study completely changes much of what we know about Vikings by both debunking common beliefs about the fearsome Norsemen and introducing new information about their history.
So what did this study conclude, and why are its findings so important?
Professor Eske Willerslev's Findings Change Everything
The six-year study was led by Professor Eske Willerslev of the University of Copenhagen's Lundbeck Foundation GeoGenetics Centre and published in the Nature journal.
The study's findings effectively debunk many modern beliefs about the history of Vikings, including the notion that they primarily spent their time raiding and causing destruction throughout Europe.
Experts Performed DNA Sequencing On Over 400 Skeletons
Over the course of the study, scientists from Denmark and England traveled throughout Europe and extracted over 400 Viking skeletons from cemeteries and archaeological sites.
Using the teeth and petrous bones of these skeletons, the scientists were able to perform DNA sequencing. They then used cutting-edge technology to analyze the DNA sequencing.
Some Of Their Findings Were Quite Surprising
After testing the remains, the scientists came to some astonishing conclusions. They encountered several unexpected findings pertaining to the Viking remains that had been collected, such as the fact that the Vikings did not appear to have homogenous roots.
And, as it turned out, some of the remains did not belong to actual Vikings in the first place. But that's not all.
The Viking Remains Revealed The Truth About Their Ancestry
Professor Willerslev's team used the exhumed Viking skeletons to assimilate genetic material, which they then compared to data collected from both ancient individuals and current residents of various European countries.
What they found surprised them. As it turned out, the Vikings had much more mixed ancestry than they had anticipated.
Some Weren't Vikings At All
In Orkney Islands, Scotland, the scientists found a gravesite that appeared to be a traditional Viking burial, including the burial of ceremonial swords and other Viking memorabilia.
However, the DNA study found that the two of the examples discovered there were not actually Vikings, and neither hailed from Scandinavia originally.
The Vikings Were Divided Into Three Distinct Genetic Groups
The findings from the study determined that the Vikings society was divided into three groups according to genetics. The Vikings from Denmark traveled to England, the Vikings from Sweden traveled to Baltic countries, and a third group originated from Norway but settled in Ireland, Iceland, and Greenland.
The experts also learned that none of these groups intermingled with one another, despite what historians once believed.
Their Genetic Ancestry Can Be Traced Back To Asia And Southern Europe
According to Willerslev's study, the Vikings weren't just Scandinavian in origin. Their genetic ancestry can be traced back to Asia and Southern Europe as well.
For many years, historians have believed that Vikings were of Scandinavian ancestry alone, but this study illustrated that their genetic roots are more complex than that.
How The Media Has Represented Vikings
In the media, Vikings have historically been depicted as burly, ruthless looters and pillagers, often taking extreme measures in order to make ends meet.
However, the DNA testing performed by Professor Willerslev and his team paints a largely different image of what the Vikings were like.
The Vikings Were Not Blonde And Blue-Eyed Like Was Once Thought
Another surprising discovery that came from the DNA sequencing study was that Vikings weren't really blonde and blue-eyed as they have so often been depicted in the media.
In fact, Professor Willerslev's study found that Vikings mostly had dark hair, due to their Asian and Southern European genetic roots.
There Were Social Divisions Among Vikings
The Viking social strata was made up of three classes. Jarls, similar to Earls, were the wealthiest class. Karls were largely farmers, sailors, craftsmen, and warriors. The Thralls were the lowest class, most forced into slavery.
Despite these fascinating social divisions, Vikings have become known primarily as ruthless warriors. The DNA study, however, found that the Vikings were more raiders than they were pillagers.
They Were An Integral Part Of Cultural Exchange
There is evidence to support the theory that Vikings participated in social exchanges across borders, such as trading, exporting, and engaging in traditional practices. As travelers, they were able to spread their language and culture around the world.
This is why it makes sense that the DNA findings determined that Vikings are more genetically diverse than was originally thought.
These Findings Have Expanded Our Understanding Of Viking Identity
The study illustrates that significant gene flows into Scandinavia from Southern Europe and Asia happened not only during the Viking Age but also well before.
It's clear that the Vikings were likely far more social than we originally thought, which changes our perspective of them from the cold-hearted conquerers pop culture has depicted.
This Enlightening Study Offers More Insight Into The Truth About Vikings
This study provides new information about Viking ancestry that changes what we thought we knew about Vikings. Discovering the truth about who the Vikings were is essential to understanding the way they shaped history.
Thanks to the insights gained from genetic sequencing, scientists better understand the genetic traits of Vikings, which unlocks information about their origins and their lives.
"The history books will need to be updated"
The DNA sequencing study of ancient skeletons led to the discovery of some incredible truths about Vikings, including where they came from and what their lives might have been like.
As Professor Eske Willerslev concluded, "The results change the perception of who a Viking actually was. The history books will need to be updated."
