Modern analysis of a 1000-year-old tomb Finland Researchers say this challenges long-standing beliefs about gender roles in ancient societies and may indicate that non-binary people are not only accepted by community members, but also respected.
Based on peer review Research in the European Journal of Archaeology, DNA analysis of the remains in a Late Iron Age tomb in Suontaka Vesitorninmäki in Hatura, southern Finland, may belong to a high-status non-binary person.
Researchers said the tomb was first discovered in 1968 during construction work and contained oval brooch-shaped jewelry and fragments of woolen clothes, indicating that the deceased was wearing “typical female clothing of that era.”
But what is unusual is that there is still a sword without a hilt in the tomb, placed on the left side of the person, and another sword that may be stored in the future is buried above the original tomb-these equipment are usually related to masculinity.
Researchers say that for decades, archaeologists have assumed that there are two corpses buried in Suontaka’s tomb, a man and a woman, or this proves that there were strong female leaders, or even female warriors, in Finland in the early Middle Ages.
“The people buried seem to be well-respected members of their community,” said Ulla Moilanen, an archaeologist at the University of Turku, the lead author of the study. “They were placed in the tomb, spread on a soft feather blanket, covered with valuable furs and objects.”
However, DNA analysis revealed that there was only one person’s body in the grave—and they had Klinefelter SyndromeGenerally, women have two X chromosomes (XX), and men have one X and one Y (XY). In Klinefelter syndrome, men are born with an extra X chromosome (XXY).
Men with this syndrome account for about one in 660 people. Their genes are still male. They usually don’t realize that they have extra chromosomes, but this condition can lead to enlarged breasts, smaller penis and testicles, and sex drive. Low and sterile.
Finnish researchers warn that the DNA results are based on small samples and only a relatively small number of gene sequences can be read, which means they must rely on modeling to some extent.
But they said that based on their data, the corpse in Suontaka’s grave is likely to have XXY chromosomes. The high-status funeral led them to conclude that this person may have been identified as not belonging to the traditional gender division.
“The overall background of the tomb suggests that this is a respectable person whose gender identity is likely to be non-binary,” they wrote.
Moilanen said that if the characteristics of Klinefelter syndrome are obvious, then this person “may not be strictly regarded as a female or male in the early medieval community. The large number of objects buried in the tomb proves that this person is not only accepted but also valued.” And respect.”
The researchers say this discovery challenges “In the hypermasculine environment of Scandinavia in the early Middle Ages, men playing female social roles and men wearing female clothing were disrespected and considered shameful.” the opinion of.
Researchers say that this person may also be accepted as a non-binary person, “because they already have a unique or solid position in the community for other reasons,” such as coming from a wealthy or influential family or becoming a shaman.
Paleogeneticians contacted scholars with expertise in ancient DNA analysis Life Science Website The study is generally regarded as “convincing,” indicating that the people buried in Suontaka are likely to be non-binary.
Archaeologists and historians also support these findings, calling it “exciting” to see new work involving gender and identity issues. Leszek Gardeła of the National Museum of Denmark said that this study showed that early medieval society “had a very subtle approach and understanding of gender identity.”
