Thanks to several modern means, researchers were able to find the remains of the “man from the well”, mentioned in an eight-century-old Norwegian saga.
A team of researchers believe they have found the remains of the “well man”, mentioned in an 800-year-old Norwegian saga. She arrived at this conclusion using several elements: carbon-14 dating, analysis of ancient DNA and a careful study of a skeleton discovered several decades ago at the bottom of a well in Norway , relayed LiberationSunday October 27.
“They threw a dead man into a well, then filled it with stones”this is the only phrase referring to man in the Sverris saga. Carbon-14 dating indicated that this man died around 1197, during the invasion of Sverresborg Castle, near Trondheim. Researchers have also managed to paint a portrait of him. He was between 30 and 40 years old, blue eyes, fair skin, light brown or blond hair and was from the southernmost region of Norway.
First discovered in 1938
“This man is a marginal character. The very term 'character' is an exaggeration to describe his brief mention in the saga”explained Michael D. Martin, professor of evolutionary genomics at the University Museum of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology “Thanks to this sophisticated analysis, we can add new details to his story. He really becomes a character”he added.
“The Man from the Well” was first discovered in 1938 during a castle restoration project. A body was revealed when the well was emptied but the remains were forgotten. During the Second World War, the well served as a dumping ground for German soldiers. “We thought there was no chance that there would be anything left of the bones. That they would have to be crushed.”said Anna Petersen, an archaeologist at the Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research. However, more than 90% of the skeleton could be recovered.
published on November 11 at 5:00 p.m., Lilian Moy, 6Medias
Share
