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Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Photo: "Arab" Found in Danish Iron-Age Grave


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This female skull with a hairpin was found in an ancient, upscale graveyard in Skovgaarde, Denmark, where the 2000-year-old remains hold a genetic signature also carried by Scandinavians today, scientists say.

Meanwhile DNA analysis of another skull (not pictured), from a grave site in nearby Bøgebjerggård, found evidence of Arabian genes.

The findings suggest ancient Denmark's genetic diversity may have exceeded that of today in some, but not all, parts of society.

Both grave sites are on the southern part of island of Sjælland (Zealand).

Photograph by P. Ethelberg/Sydsjllands Museum, 2000