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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."

6 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.
  2. 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"
  3. Re:Vikings come to Jurrasic Park by Chemisor · · Score: 5, Funny

    What makes you think that would be more safe?

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

    a Beowulf cluster of these.

    --
    Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.
  5. 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.
  6. Re:Vikings come to Jurrasic Park by rubycodez · · Score: 5, Funny

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