Hedenstierna-Jonson Charlotte, Kjellström Anna, Zachrisson Torun, Krzewińska Maja, Sobrado Veronica, Price Neil, Günther Torsten, Jakobsson Mattias, Götherström Anders, Storå Jan
Archaeological Research Laboratory, Department of Archaeology and Classical Studies, Stockholm University, Lilla Frescativägen 7, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden.
Department of Archaeology and Ancient History, Uppsala University, Engelska Parken, Thunbergsvägen 3H, 751 26 Uppsala, Sweden.
Am J Phys Anthropol. 2017 Dec;164(4):853-860. doi: 10.1002/ajpa.23308. Epub 2017 Sep 8.
The objective of this study has been to confirm the sex and the affinity of an individual 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 been associated with the gender of the warrior and such was the case with Bj 581. An earlier osteological classification of the individual as female was considered controversial in a historical and archaeological context. A genomic confirmation of the biological sex of the individual was considered necessary to solve the issue.
Genome-wide sequence data was generated in order to confirm the biological sex, to support skeletal integrity, and to investigate the genetic relationship of the individual to ancient individuals as well as modern-day groups. Additionally, a strontium isotope analysis was conducted to highlight the mobility of the individual.
The genomic results revealed the lack of a Y-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 North Europeans, and within Sweden to the southern and south-central region. Nevertheless, the Sr values are not conclusive as to whether she was of local or nonlocal origin.
The identification 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 for caution against generalizations regarding social orders in past societies.
本研究的目的是确定埋葬在瑞典比尔卡维京时代城镇一座装备精良的战士墓（Bj 581）中的个体的性别和亲缘关系。此前，根据材料和历史记录，男性一直被认为与战士的性别相关，Bj 581墓的情况也是如此。在历史和考古背景下，该个体早期的骨学分类为女性被认为存在争议。因此，认为有必要通过基因组分析来确认该个体的生物学性别，以解决这一问题。
生成全基因组序列数据，以确认生物学性别、支持骨骼完整性，并研究该个体与古代个体以及现代群体的遗传关系。此外，还进行了锶同位素分析，以突出该个体的迁移情况。
基因组结果显示缺乏Y染色体，因此确定该个体的生物学性别为女性，线粒体DNA分析支持所采样样本来自同一个体。其遗传亲缘关系与现代北欧人接近，在瑞典境内则与南部和中南部地区的人群接近。然而，关于她是本地还是非本地出身，锶同位素值并无定论。
女性维京战士的身份识别为了解维京社会、社会结构以及维京时期的例外情况提供了独特视角。研究结果提醒我们，对于过去社会的社会秩序进行概括时要谨慎。
