Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Judi Lynn

(162,385 posts)
Wed Jun 20, 2018, 06:31 PM Jun 2018

DNA study reveals fate of Irish women taken by Vikings as slaves to Iceland

Wednesday, 20 June 2018

The mapping of DNA from some of the settlers who colonised Iceland more than 1,000 years ago offers an insight into the fate of thousands of slaves – mostly women – who were taken by Norse Vikings from Ireland and Scotland before they put down roots on the North Atlantic island.



The Sea Stallion from Glendalough, a reconstructed Viking ship [Credit: Eric Luke]

Anthropologist Sunna Ebenesersdóttir, of the University of Iceland and the company deCODE Genetics in Reykjavik, analysed the genomes of 25 ancient Icelanders whose skeletal remains were found in burial sites across the island.

Sequencing using samples from teeth revealed the settlers had a roughly even split of Norse (from what are today Norway and Sweden) and Gaelic ancestry. It is the first in-depth investigation of how a new population is formed through a genetic process known as “admixture”.

When the researchers compared the ancient genomes to those of modern people in Iceland and other European countries, they found contemporary Icelanders, on average, draw about 70 per cent of their genes from Norse ancestry.

Read more at https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2018/06/dna-study-reveals-fate-of-irish-women.html#zOLhA8XdAJsKBFf4.99

3 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
DNA study reveals fate of Irish women taken by Vikings as slaves to Iceland (Original Post) Judi Lynn Jun 2018 OP
I know that Vikings took women from the African KCDebbie Jun 2018 #1
I just sent this to my mom. BigmanPigman Jun 2018 #2
It's a long way Crutchez_CuiBono Jun 2018 #3
 

KCDebbie

(664 posts)
1. I know that Vikings took women from the African
Wed Jun 20, 2018, 06:35 PM
Jun 2018

Coasts to Northern Europe as well... I wonder if there was ever any DNA performed to prove this...

BigmanPigman

(52,259 posts)
2. I just sent this to my mom.
Wed Jun 20, 2018, 06:38 PM
Jun 2018

When I visited her last weekend she showed me that her research of our genes goes back to 600 in Norway and Sweden. This should keep her busy.

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Anthropology»DNA study reveals fate of...