Research Indicates Discovered Remains Likely Belong to Character from Norwegian Epic Over 800 Years Ago.
The Guardian reported on October 27 that a recent study of remains found in Trondheim, Norway, shows significant similarities to a character from a Norwegian epic. Michael Martin, a researcher from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and a co-author of the study, stated: “While we are not 100% certain, the scientific evidence and context are very convincing.”
Remains of the “man in the well,” believed to be a character from the Sverris Saga in Norway. (PHOTO: SCREENSHOT FROM THE GUARDIAN).
Scientists believe that the remains in question belong to a person mentioned in the Sverris Saga from 1197. This epic, consisting of 182 verses, recounts the life of King Sverre Sigurdsson of Norway, who ruled during a time of political instability and civil war. One part of the saga describes an attack by enemies on King Sigurdsson’s fortress at Sverresborg (now located in Trondheim). The attackers besieged the castle, looted its goods, and burned down every house. They captured a dead person, threw him into a well, and filled the well with stones.
Historians suggest that if the story is accurate, the person thrown into the well belonged to a group of soldiers known as the Birkebeiner. According to research published on iScience on October 25, scientists analyzed the majority of the remains excavated from the aforementioned well between 2014 and 2016, concluding that it is very likely the Birkebeiner man referenced in the epic.
Using radiocarbon dating methods on the skeleton, researchers determined the radiocarbon age of the remains to be 940, with a margin of error of 30 years. This aligns with the timing of the Sverrisborg siege described in the Sverris Saga.
DNA analysis indicated that this individual had blonde or light brown hair and greenish eyes, suggesting he may have originated from southern Norway.
The researchers believe this may be the first time they have recovered genetic information of a character from an epic, likely indicating a real historical figure.
“We have shown that the epic is not entirely fictional as perceived by the public. I think this helps people appreciate the content of these epic stories more,” said Michael Martin.
