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Portrait reconstruction of VK202
Ancient Individual

A man buried in United Kingdom in the era

VK202
900 CE - 1000 CE
Male
Unknown Period
United Kingdom
Scroll to begin
Chapter I

Identity

The biological and cultural markers that define this ancient individual

Sample ID

VK202

Date Range

900 CE - 1000 CE

Biological Sex

Male

mtDNA Haplogroup

H1ai

Y-DNA Haplogroup

R-A151

Cultural Period

Unknown

Chapter II

Place

Where this individual was discovered

Country United Kingdom
Locality Scotland. Orkney. Buckquoy Birsay
Chapter III

Time

When this individual lived in the broader context of human history

VK202 900 CE - 1000 CE
Chapter IV

Story

The narrative of this ancient life

The Viking Age, also known as the Norse Age, was a period of history ranging from the late 8th century to the mid-11th century AD. This era is characterized by the expansion of the Norse people, known as Vikings, across Europe, the Atlantic, and even into Asia. The Vikings were seafarers and warriors who were feared and respected for their raids and conquests.

During the Viking Age, Norse culture flourished, with rich traditions in art, literature, and mythology. The Vikings worshipped a pantheon of gods and goddesses, such as Odin, Thor, and Freyja, and their stories were passed down through oral tradition. The Norse people were also skilled craftspeople, known for their intricate metalwork, woodworking, and shipbuilding.

Geographically, the Viking Age was centered around Scandinavia, encompassing modern-day Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. The Vikings set out from their homelands in longships, raiding coastal towns and monasteries throughout Europe. They also established settlements in places like Iceland, Greenland, and even North America, proving their prowess as explorers.

One of the most famous events of the Viking Age was the invasion of England by the Great Heathen Army in the 9th century. Led by warriors like Ragnar Lothbrok and his sons, the Vikings conquered large swathes of the country and left a lasting impact on English culture.

Overall, the Viking Age was a time of great expansion and change for the Norse people. Their influence can still be seen today in the customs, language, and folklore of the regions they once inhabited. The era is a testament to the adventurous spirit and fierce warrior ethos of the Vikings, who continue to captivate the imagination of people around the world.

Chapter V

Context

Other ancient individuals connected to this sample

Sources

References

Scientific publications and genetic data

Scientific Publication

Population genomics of the Viking world

Authors Margaryan A, Lawson DJ, Sikora M
Abstract

The maritime expansion of Scandinavian populations during the Viking Age (about AD 750-1050) was a far-flung transformation in world history1,2. Here we sequenced the genomes of 442 humans from archaeological sites across Europe and Greenland (to a median depth of about 1×) to understand the global influence of this expansion. We find the Viking period involved gene flow into Scandinavia from the south and east. We observe genetic structure within Scandinavia, with diversity hotspots in the south and restricted gene flow within Scandinavia. We find evidence for a major influx of Danish ancestry into England; a Swedish influx into the Baltic; and Norwegian influx into Ireland, Iceland and Greenland. Additionally, we see substantial ancestry from elsewhere in Europe entering Scandinavia during the Viking Age. Our ancient DNA analysis also revealed that a Viking expedition included close family members. By comparing with modern populations, we find that pigmentation-associated loci have undergone strong population differentiation during the past millennium, and trace positively selected loci-including the lactase-persistence allele of LCT and alleles of ANKA that are associated with the immune response-in detail. We conclude that the Viking diaspora was characterized by substantial transregional engagement: distinct populations influenced the genomic makeup of different regions of Europe, and Scandinavia experienced increased contact with the rest of the continent.

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