DistantNews
Support us
DNA analysis changes view of children in medieval graves
๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ช Sweden /Culture & Society

DNA analysis changes view of children in medieval graves

From Dagens Nyheter · () Swedish

Translated from Swedish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • New DNA analysis from Stockholm University challenges the long-held belief that children buried with adults in medieval Scandinavia were necessarily close relatives.
  • The study suggests that social and religious customs, rather than kinship, likely determined burial arrangements.
  • The research also indicates that children were assigned clear gender roles from an early age.

New DNA analyses conducted by researchers at Stockholm University are reshaping our understanding of medieval burial practices in Scandinavia. For years, archaeologists assumed that children interred alongside adults in graves from the medieval period were likely their parents or other close family members. However, this new genetic evidence suggests a different reality.

It was surprising, because many in the cemeteries were actually related.

โ€” Anders GรถtherstrรถmThe professor of molecular archaeology at Stockholm University commented on the unexpected findings of the DNA study.

The study, which analyzed DNA from 142 individuals across 50 communal graves in Sigtuna, Vรคsterhus, and Fjรคlkinge, dating from the 10th to 13th centuries, indicates that social factors and chance encounters, rather than close familial ties, were the primary determinants of who was buried together. "It was surprising, because many in the cemeteries were actually related," stated Anders Gรถtherstrรถm, a professor of molecular archaeology at Stockholm University.

This research marks the first time genetic material from teeth has been used to determine biological sex from the genome in medieval graves. "By examining children, who have largely been invisible in the archaeological record until now, we can learn about the perception of children and childhood in the past. It also makes it possible to explore past social structures and family dynamics in new ways," explained Maja Krzewiล„ska, one of the study's researchers, whose findings were published in the journal Science Advances.

By examining children, who have largely been invisible in the archaeological record until now, we can learn about the perception of children and childhood in the past. It also makes it possible to explore past social structures and family dynamics in new ways.

โ€” Maja Krzewiล„skaOne of the researchers explained the significance of studying children in medieval graves.

Previously, determining the sex of young children in medieval graves was difficult due to underdeveloped skeletons and a lack of gender-indicating grave goods. The study highlights that in early Christian Scandinavia, families were often larger than the modern nuclear family, potentially including cousins, aunts, and uncles. However, the exact relationships of those buried with children remain uncertain. Gรถtherstrรถm suggested that individuals might have been people with whom they shared a farm or acquaintances from the local community who died around the same time. He added, "When a child died, perhaps they didn't want to place it in a solitary grave."

When a child died, perhaps they didn't want to place it in a solitary grave.

โ€” Anders GรถtherstrรถmThe professor offered a possible explanation for communal burials of children and adults.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dagens Nyheter in Swedish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog