A massive effort to sequence the DNA of Vikings across Europe was recently published — revealing a map of Vikings who set forth — and died — far from home:
A study published in Nature sequenced the DNA of 442 individuals from Viking Age burials across Europe, revealing compelling insights into Viking family ties, migration patterns, and cultural identities.
Led by Eske Willerslev of the University of Cambridge and the University of Copenhagen, the research offers new perspectives on the Vikings’ vast reach, showing how their influence extended from Scandinavia to as far as Greenland, Italy, and Ukraine.
Among the findings: four brothers buried together in Estonia, cousins separated by oceans in Denmark and England, and individuals buried as Vikings but with non-Scandinavian ancestry, such as Saami, Irish, and Scottish origins.
The study also challenges popular perceptions of Viking identity.
It suggests that "Viking" was often more a social role than a genetic or ethnic identity, with non-Scandinavians adopting Viking customs and being buried in Viking-style graves. DNA evidence supports sagas that suggest Vikings from specific regions had preferred destinations, with Norwegians heading to Ireland and Greenland, Danes targeting England, and Swedes exploring the Baltics and Russia.
Despite their extensive travels, genetic mixing within Scandinavia remained limited, with inland populations staying genetically distinct for centuries.
Sources: