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Authentic Viking DNA From 1,000-Year-Old Skeletons

Posted by timothy on from the unless-that-was-really-ullyses-s.-grant dept.

FiReaNGeL writes "Scientists were able to extract authentic DNA from ancient Viking skeletons, avoiding many of the problems of contamination faced by past researchers. Analysis of DNA from the remains of ancient humans provides valuable insights into such important questions as the origin of genetic diseases, migration patterns of our forefathers and tribal and family patterns. Using freshly sampled material from ten Viking skeletons from around AD 1,000, from a non-Christian burial site on the Danish island of Funen, Dissing and colleagues showed that it is indeed possible to retrieve authentic DNA from ancient humans."

30 of 189 comments (clear)

  1. next step by syrinx · · Score: 5, Funny

    Next step is to clone them and open a theme park, right?

    --
    Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum sonatur.
    1. Re:next step by Lurker2288 · · Score: 4, Funny

      I can hear Richard Attenborough now. "We have created creatures so astonishing that they will capture the imagination of the entire world...welcome, my friends, to Nordic Park."

      Just make sure to keep those electric fences on; last time the berserkers got out they took out an entire tour group from Milaukee.

    2. Re:next step by idontgno · · Score: 2, Funny

      Just keep 'em away from the authentic longboat re-creations.

      Otherwise, we know from good sources that their only goal will be the western shore. And that means either the British Isles or, if they're lucky (and bad navigators), North America.

      --
      Welcome to the Panopticon. Used to be a prison, now it's your home.
    3. Re:next step by mapsjanhere · · Score: 2, Funny

      And when the theme park idea doesn't work out they can always get a job for the next credit card commercial

      --
      I'm aging rapidly, I bought a new game and had no idea if my machine was good for it.
    4. Re:next step by dgatwood · · Score: 2, Funny

      I hear Geico might be hiring. Apparently, the caveman just isn't working out.

      :-D

      --

      Check out my sci-fi/humor trilogy at PatriotsBooks.

    5. Re:next step by brunokummel · · Score: 2, Funny

      And when the theme park idea doesn't work out they can always get a job for the next credit card commercial or even a heavy metal band...there are so many opportunities for cloned vikings....
      --
      What is best in life? To crush your enemies, to see them driven before you and to hear the lamentations of their women.
    6. Re:next step by pizpot · · Score: 4, Funny

      no, this is the next step: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1nzEFMjkI4

    7. Re:next step by denzacar · · Score: 2, Funny

      that would mean that the females would be just as susceptible to some common X- chromosome related conditions like color blindness, though They would not be aware that they are green?

      Even better.
      --
      Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens
    8. Re:next step by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      I think you underestimate tour groups from Milwaukee - some tourists can be downright scary!

  2. Vikings come to Jurrasic Park by Raul654 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Just imagine how awesome the theme parks could be if they were populated by real, genetically correct vikings. Oh wait...

    --


    To make laws that man cannot, and will not obey, serves to bring all law into contempt.
    --E.C. Stanton
    1. Re:Vikings come to Jurrasic Park by Fast+Thick+Pants · · Score: 4, Funny

      Just to be safe, we'd better make them all females.

    2. Re:Vikings come to Jurrasic Park by Chemisor · · Score: 5, Funny

      What makes you think that would be more safe?

    3. Re:Vikings come to Jurrasic Park by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Dunno about safe, but it would definitely be one hell of a lot more interesting.

    4. Re:Vikings come to Jurrasic Park by rubycodez · · Score: 5, Funny

      death by Nordic goddess snoo-snoo! I'm in!

  3. Oh no! by ettlz · · Score: 4, Funny

    Not more spam!

  4. Answers to Age Old Questions by TheLazySci-FiAuthor · · Score: 5, Funny

    I have some of the viking in my mish-mash genetic make up - they were very good, after all, at getting their genes spread widely.

    perhaps this research will confirm my suspicion that the Viking lineage is where I acquired my most powerful gene

    --
    Read my Very Short "Stories"
  5. Don't remind me... by kyriosdelis · · Score: 3, Funny

    My favorite place to hang out in the summer, is a scandinavian bar. If you go up on the roof, you'll find authentic viking DNA all over the place...

    --
    I don't mind dating a girl that has been with everybody, as long as she had a good shower afterwards.
  6. No need by sxltrex · · Score: 4, Funny

    Authentic vikings still walk the earth today.

    This is the only creature Chuck Norris is afraid of.

  7. Imagine by goombah99 · · Score: 5, Funny

    a Beowulf cluster of these.

    --
    Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.
    1. Re:Imagine by Herkum01 · · Score: 4, Funny

      I think you mean

      We can finally have a cluster of Beowulf's!

    2. Re:Imagine by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      So what you are proposing is a Beowulf cluster of a cluster of Beowulf's.

  8. Meme alert by PMBjornerud · · Score: 5, Funny

    As a Scandinavian, I am compelled to invoke the Slashdot meme:

    I am a genetically correct viking, you insensitive clod!

    --
    I lost my sig.
    1. Re:Meme alert by statemachine · · Score: 2, Funny

      Whoosh!

      Was that the sound of your head getting cut off?

  9. Re:Not canon... by fan+of+lem · · Score: 2, Funny

    "A Viking-Velociraptor with a battleaxe and the speed of a cheetah...*drool*"

    Uhh.. Bravestarr?

  10. oblig by nih · · Score: 2, Funny

    å møøse ønce bit my sister

    --
    I'm a rabbit startled by the headlights of life :(
  11. Re:Go look up the definition of Ancient... by Ironchew · · Score: 1, Funny

    Wait... so 1,000 years old is ancient? It's never too early to feel old again.
  12. Re:Just send me some kleenex by couchslug · · Score: 4, Funny

    "And I'll pump you all the viking DNA you'll ever want!"

    How will you get the Vikings to accept your offer?

    --
    "This post is an artistic work of fiction and falsehood. Only a fool would take anything posted here as fact."
  13. Re:Mom? by DeadChobi · · Score: 2, Funny

    And where all the pretty english girls went?

    --
    SRSLY.
  14. Re:Most obvious question: by qc_dk · · Score: 3, Funny

    Then why did you mention the Finns?

    Death by Axe! RRRAAAAAAARRGGGGGGGggg.. umm, btw. What's your address?

  15. Cant help this by SoulRider · · Score: 2, Funny

    I bet they find they could not win a super bowl back then either.