A 1,000-year-old Viking woman buried in Soloør, Norway alongside deadly weaponry has been ‘brought to life’ using facial recognition technology. Her remains, preserved in Oslo’s Museum of Cultural History, were identified as a warrior due to the weapons found in her grave.
British scientists utilized cutting-edge technology to reconstruct her features, revealing a woman who may have died in battle. Evidence of a sword wound on her skull suggests she may have been a warrior. This challenges the long-held belief that Viking warriors were only men.
The reconstruction of this Viking woman’s face will be featured in a National Geographic documentary, showcasing the evolving roles of women in ancient societies. The accuracy of facial reconstructions for ancient individuals may not be perfect, but they provide valuable insights into the past.
This discovery sheds light on the presence of female warriors in Viking culture, challenging traditional gender norms. As technology continues to advance, more archaeological finds may reveal the untold stories of women who fought alongside their male counterparts.
Sources
- https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/nov/02/viking-woman-warrior-face-reconstruction-national-geographic-documentary
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ajpa.23308