DNA Analysis of Ancient Skeleton Sheds Light on Norse Saga!
Norwegian researchers have achieved a remarkable breakthrough, using advanced genetic analysis to potentially identify the remains of a figure from an 800-year-old Norse saga. Published on October 25 in iScience, this study focuses on skeletal remains uncovered in 1938 at Sverresborg Castle in Norway, a historic site with ties to the medieval conflicts that shaped Norway's past.
Photo Credit: Åge Hojem, NTNU University Museum
The Mystery of 'Well-Man' and an 800-Year-Old Saga
The skeletal remains, known as the "Well-man," may be those of a character documented in the Sverris Saga—a Norse prose account chronicling the reign of King Sverre Sigurdsson in the late 12th century. This turbulent period saw intense power struggles, especially between King Sverre's loyal Birkebeiner forces and their adversaries, the Baglers, who had the Roman Catholic Church’s backing. One striking episode in the saga describes how, during a Bagler raid on Sverresborg in 1197, an attacker’s corpse was thrown into the castle's well as a form of primitive biological warfare, aimed at poisoning the water supply and forcing Sverre’s forces to abandon the fortress.
When archaeologists discovered human remains in Sverresborg’s well in 1938, they could only visually examine the bones. Now, modern science has enabled researchers to revisit this discovery with advanced techniques, potentially validating this dramatic saga episode with genetic evidence.
Photo Credit: Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage
Cutting-edge DNA Research Sheds New Light
Led by Professor Michael D. Martin of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, the team combined radiocarbon dating with advanced genetic sequencing techniques to establish that the remains likely date back to around 1197—the exact year the saga describes. “This is the first time a person from these ancient texts has actually been identified,” said Martin, noting how new genomic technologies are opening up possibilities to reassess historical remains across Europe.
The analysis revealed that the Well-man likely had blue eyes, light brown or blonde hair, and a medium skin tone. Genetic links also suggest he hailed from the Vest-Agder region in southern Norway, a Bagler stronghold, hinting he may have been part of the attacking force against Sverresborg.
Tracing Ancestry and Cultural Insights
DNA samples were carefully extracted from a tooth, as the rest of the remains were too degraded for full genetic sequencing. Working alongside Agnar Helgason from deCODE Genetics in Iceland, Martin’s team compared the Well-man’s DNA to contemporary Norwegian and European genomes. The findings suggest the Well-man was not a local resident, but rather an outsider—likely one of the Baglers who raided Sverresborg. “The biggest surprise was discovering he didn’t belong to the local population,” Martin said, suggesting that this outsider was discarded in the well as part of the attackers' strategy.
Photo Credit: Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research
Limitations and Future Prospects
While the evidence aligns with the saga’s account, researchers acknowledge that definitive confirmation remains elusive. “Although we can’t prove conclusively that the remains are of the individual described in Sverris Saga, the circumstantial evidence is consistent with this interpretation,” the study authors concluded. Anna Petersén, an archaeologist from the Norwegian Institute of Cultural Heritage Research, points out that while genetic evidence can support historical narratives in a more “neutral” way, it’s important to remember the sagas themselves are not entirely factual. “The reality is often more complex than the text,” she noted.
The research team hopes to apply similar methods to other historic figures, with particular interest in Norway’s patron saint, St. Olaf, who is believed to be buried near Trondheim Cathedral. Martin suggests that if St. Olaf’s remains are ever uncovered, genetic sequencing could offer fresh insights into his ancestry and physical appearance, bridging history and science in exciting new ways.
This pioneering study shines a light on a mysterious era in Norway’s history, potentially validating one of the earliest accounts of biological warfare and opening up fascinating possibilities for future historical inquiries through the power of genetics.