A Female Viking Warrior Confirmed by Genomics

Objectives: The objective of this study has been to confirm the sex and the affinity of anindividual 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 beenassociated with the gender of the warrior and such was the case with Bj 581. An earlierosteological classification of the individual as female was considered controversial in ahistorical and archaeological context. A genomic confirmation of the biological sex of theindividual was considered necessary to solve the issue. Materials and Methods: Genome-wide sequence data was generated in order to confirm the biological sex, to support skeletalintegrity and to investigate the genetic relationship of the individual to ancient individuals aswell as modern-day groups. Additionally, a strontium isotope analysis was conducted tohighlight the mobility of the individual. Results: The genomic results revealed the lack of aY-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 NorthEuropeans, and within Sweden to the southern and south-central region. Nevertheless, the Srvalues are not conclusive as to whether she was of local or non-local origin. Discussion: Theidentification 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 forcaution against generalizations regarding social orders in past societies.