Ancient DNA testing has established a sibling relationship between two individuals buried in Finland during the 12th century. This discovery is part of a study examining the remains of 25 individuals from medieval to modern times in the Tampere area, demonstrating strong genetic continuity over 800 years. Researchers compared ancient DNA with modern genomes and found significant similarities, indicating ongoing community connections. The findings also highlight Finland's involvement in broader cultural exchanges during the Viking Age, suggesting that medieval communities were interconnected rather than isolated.
This provides tangible evidence of family connections between different communities. Ancient DNA testing has revealed that they were sister and brother, providing rare, tangible evidence of family ties across medieval Finland.
These results point to a remarkable degree of genetic continuity in the area since at least the early Middle Ages. Researchers found that the medieval individuals had the closest genetic affinities with people living in the same region today.
Although the dataset is relatively small, the findings clearly show that medieval Finland was not isolated. It was part of the wider networks of interaction that shaped northern Europe.
The study marks a significant achievement in a country where acidic soils often make DNA recovery difficult. Additional genetic links were identified between Finnish individuals and ancient genomes from Scandinavia and the Lake Ladoga region, pointing to mobility and cultural contact during the Viking Age and beyond.
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