Swedish Scientists Identify Viking Aggressiveness Through Fingerprint 0 10

Scientists from Lund University (Sweden) have discovered a fingerprint preserved in resin that was used to treat the oldest known wooden boat in Scandinavia - the Hjortspring boat. This find provides a rare opportunity to establish a direct physical connection with the maritime warriors who used this vessel over two thousand years ago and sheds new light on the origins of one of the early maritime raids in the region.

The military boat dates back to the 4th century BC. The vessel was found in the Hjortspring Mose bog in present-day Denmark in the late 19th century and subsequently became a unique archaeological object. After the attackers were defeated, the boat, along with weapons, was deliberately placed in the bog, likely as part of a ritual offering, which is why it has been preserved in exceptional condition. Today, the Hjortspring boat is exhibited at the National Museum of Denmark.

Modern research became possible after scientists discovered fragments of the boat that had not undergone chemical conservation during previous excavations. Analysis showed that the vessel was sealed with pine resin, indicating its construction in a region with extensive pine forests. This contradicts previous hypotheses about the boat's origin from the area of modern Hamburg and, conversely, supports the coastal territories of the Baltic Sea.

According to archaeologist Mikael Fovell, if the boat was indeed built in the Baltic region, it means that its crew traveled hundreds of kilometers of open sea to launch an attack on the island of Als. This conclusion changes the understanding of the scale and capabilities of early maritime expeditions in the pre-Roman Iron Age.

The fingerprint was found in the layer of resin used to seal the hull. Using X-ray tomography, scientists created a highly accurate 3D image of the fingerprint, while gas chromatography and mass spectrometry allowed them to study the composition of the sealant and the technology used to produce it. Additionally, researchers conducted radiocarbon analysis of the bast fiber ropes used in the construction of the vessel, which helped refine its dating.

Scientists hope that in the future, ancient DNA can be extracted from the caulking, which will provide even more information about the people who used the boat. The possibility of dendrochronological analysis of the wood is also being considered, which could allow for the precise determination of the region where the trees were cut down for the construction of the vessel.