A man buried in Sweden in the Iron Age era

RISE174
Portrait reconstruction
Disclaimer: The portrait shown is a speculative reconstruction and not the actual face of the ancient sample. It represents an artistic interpretation based on archaeological data.
Specimen Details
Sample ID:
RISE174
Date:
433 CE - 639 CE
Biological Sex:
Male
mtDNA:
W1
Y-DNA:
R-BY29826
Cultural Period:
Iron Age Sweden
Location
Country:
Sweden
Locality:
Oxie 7
Coordinates:
55.5450, 13.0980
Map Location
Historical Timeline
Description

The Iron Age in Sweden, particularly the later part, overlaps with what is often referred to as the Norse era, a period rich in mythology, exploration, and societal development. This era, roughly spanning from 500 BCE to 800 CE, is characterized by significant advancements in agriculture, craftsmanship, social organization, and maritime capabilities. The period ends with the onset of the Viking Age, indicating a cultural and societal continuum rather than a rigid demarcation.

Geography and Environment

Iron Age Sweden was heavily influenced by its natural environment. The region's extensive forests provided ample resources for construction and fuel, while its numerous lakes and rivers facilitated inland transportation and fishing. The harsh, cold winters shaped the Norse way of life, necessitating robust architecture and adaptations in farming practices. Coastal areas, especially in the southern parts like Skåne, were crucial for trade and were the points from which exploration and later Viking expeditions embarked.

Society and Social Structure

The Norse society during the Iron Age was mainly agrarian, with a social hierarchy evolving that consisted of various classes:

  • The Jarl (Noble Class): Leaders and landowners who wielded significant power and often served as chieftains or kings.
  • The Karl (Freemen): Majority farmers, craftsmen, and traders who owned land and had rights within the society.
  • Thralls (Slaves): The lowest tier, typically comprised of war captives or indebted individuals, performing labor-intensive tasks.

The family was the central unit of Norse society, with kinship ties influencing wealth, inheritance, and social standing. Gender roles were well-defined but allowed women significant rights compared to many contemporary cultures, such as owning property and initiating divorce.

Economy and Trade

Iron Age Swedes were adept at agriculture, animal husbandry, and fishing. They cultivated barley, rye, oats, and wheat, and raised cattle, sheep, and pigs. Trade was crucial, with archaeological finds indicating exchanges with the Roman Empire and distant regions like the Byzantine Empire. Amber, fur, and iron were among the goods traded for luxury items, silver, and occasionally, human captives.

Religion and Mythology

Norse religion during the Iron Age was polytheistic, revolving around gods such as Odin, Thor, and Freyja. Sacred groves, stones, and burial mounds served as religious sites, where rituals and sacrifices were conducted to gain favor from the deities. Norse mythology provided a cosmological framework that explained natural phenomena and human experience, deeply influencing societal norms and practices.

Technology and Craftsmanship

The period saw significant advancements in tool-making and metallurgy. Iron became the dominant material for weapons, tools, and objects, replacing bronze to forge superior swords, axes, and plows. Craftsmen produced intricate woodwork, textiles, and jewelry, often decorated with distinctive Norse motifs such as interwoven animals and mythical figures.

Art and Culture

Norse art from the Iron Age is notable for its intricate patterns and designs, found in carvings, metalwork, and textiles. The art often depicted scenes from mythology and daily life, showcasing the aesthetic values of the society. Oral traditions thrived, with skalds (poets) narrating sagas and eddas, which were later written down, preserving the history, mythology, and values of the Norse people.

Warfare and Exploration

Contrary to the later Viking Age's reputation, early Iron Age Sweden engaged in more localized conflicts, often over resources or territory. Defensive structures such as hillforts were common. However, as maritime technology improved with innovations like the clinker-built longships, the Swedes began exploring beyond their homeland. These explorations laid the groundwork for the extensive Viking Age expeditions.

Legacy

The Iron Age laid the cultural, social, and technological foundations for the Viking Age and medieval Scandinavia. It was a transformative period that blended local traditions with outside influences, setting the stage for Sweden’s evolution into a prominent European power. Despite being a period before written records in Sweden, archaeological and comparative analyses have offered a window into this era, highlighting the complex and rich tapestry of Iron Age Norse culture.

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RISE480 1700 BCE Erd 4, Hungary View
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RISE484 2000 BCE Erd 4, Hungary View
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RISE487 3485 BCE Lombardy. Remedello di Sotto, Italy View
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RISE497 1400 BCE Arban 1, Russia View
RISE499 1400 BCE Bystrovka, Russia View
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RISE502 1497 BCE Bystrovka, Russia View
RISE503 1731 BCE Kytmanovo, Russia View
RISE504 709 CE Kytmanovo, Russia View
RISE505 1862 BCE Kytmanovo, Russia View
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RISE511 2909 BCE Bateni, Russia View
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Sample ID Culture/Period Date Location Action
VK522 Iron Age Sweden 300 CE Oland, Sweden View
RISE174 Iron Age Sweden 433 CE Oxie 7, Sweden View
VK579 Iron Age Sweden 200 CE Oland, Sweden View
Ancient Genetic Admixture

Ancient genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (RISE174) with present-day reference populations. These results show what percentage of the individual's genetic makeup resembles ancient populations from different geographic regions.

European Hunter-Gatherers 45%
Western Steppe Pastoralists 40%
Neolithic Farmers 13%
Ancient Asians 2%
Modern Genetic Admixture

Modern genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (RISE174) with present-day reference populations. These results show what percentage of the individual's genetic makeup resembles modern populations from different geographic regions.

These results complement the ancient ancestry components shown in the previous section, offering a different perspective on the individual's genetic profile by comparing it with modern reference populations rather than prehistoric ancestral groups.

Europe 99%
Northwestern European 88%
English 46.3%
Northwestern European 15.7%
Scandinavian 14.1%
Finnish 11.8%
Eastern European 11%
Eastern European 11.2%
Africa 1%
African Hunter-Gatherer 1%
African Hunter-Gatherer 0.6%
West African 0%
Asia 0%
Northern West Asian 0%
Oceania 0%
Melanesian 0%
G25 Coordinates

The G25 coordinates for the sample RISE174 are as follows. You can analyze its admixture using G25 Studio.

RISE174,0.1337893,0.12319502,0.06662878,0.06038352,0.0378713,0.02109672,0.00542036,0.0092111,0.00357232,-0.007729,-0.00478666,0.004919,0.00018052,-0.006915,0.02003462,-0.00141182,-0.0136341,6.92E-05,0.0011497,-0.00082564,0.00544688,0.00198108,-0.00362706,0.00845224,-0.00268016
Analyze it in G25 Studio
Scientific Papers References
Population genomics of Bronze Age Eurasia
Authors:
Allentoft ME, Sikora M, Sjögren KG
Abstract:

The Bronze Age of Eurasia (around 3000-1000 BC) was a period of major cultural changes. However, there is debate about whether these changes resulted from the circulation of ideas or from human migrations, potentially also facilitating the spread of languages and certain phenotypic traits. We investigated this by using new, improved methods to sequence low-coverage genomes from 101 ancient humans from across Eurasia. We show that the Bronze Age was a highly dynamic period involving large-scale population migrations and replacements, responsible for shaping major parts of present-day demographic structure in both Europe and Asia. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesized spread of Indo-European languages during the Early Bronze Age. We also demonstrate that light skin pigmentation in Europeans was already present at high frequency in the Bronze Age, but not lactose tolerance, indicating a more recent onset of positive selection on lactose tolerance than previously thought.

Link:
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