Science Confirms: Female Viking Warriors Did Exist!
You've already seen badass characters like Xena, Wonder Woman, and Lagertha Lothbrok battle their enemies on screen. But did you know that fierce Viking shieldmaidens kicked butt in real life? Through DNA analysis, this pop culture trope has finally been confirmed.
The Truth Is In Her Bones
In the 1880's, archaeologists found an elaborate Viking grave in Birka, a historical Swedish trading hub. The body was buried alongside the warrior's weapons, two sacrificed war horses, and a gaming set — all indications that the grave belonged to a high-ranking officer. And for over a century, most people assumed that this officer was a man.
It was not until recently that archaeologists closely studied the pelvis of the skeleton and realized that, in fact, the grave likely belonged to a woman. A research team at Uppsala University conducted a DNA analysis of the remains. They found no trace of Y chromosomes — hard evidence that the skeleton's biological sex is indeed female.
© C. Hedenstierna-Jonson et al., 2017
A Revered Warrior
Archaeologists surmise that the woman was both a high-ranking Viking officer and a military tactician (based on the gaming pieces along with the other artifacts found at the gravesite). She fought alongside men and earned their respect. The best part? She's not even a myth!
Nowadays, we can only imagine how this Viking warrior outsmarted her opponents on the battlefield. But one thing is certain: her existence continues to challenge the way we think of gender roles today.
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