The people who perished on the Vasa
Despite the fact that those who perished during the sinking of the Vasa lay at the bottom of the sea for 333 years, their DNA can reveal what they looked like, what diseases they were prone to and what they were like as people. Photo: Marcus Holmquist
The warship Vasa sank during its maiden voyage on 10 August 1628. Around 30 people are believed to have sunk with her into the depths. Very little is known about who they were. However, a collaboration between the Vasa Museum and Uppsala University is using modern DNA sequencing to find out as much as possible about them. The project is being led by Marie Allen, Professor of Forensic Genetics at Uppsala University.
“One of the most curious findings is that the individual previously called ‘Gustav’ is now registered under the name Gertrud and a new reconstruction has been made by Oscar Nilsson. This is based solely on the fact that the DNA shows that it is a woman,” explains Allen.
The remains of Gertrud were found on the lower gun deck just ahead of the main starboard mast. She was at the foot of a ladder, so it is possible that she attempted to climb up but didn’t make it.
Anna Maria Forssberg is a lecturer in history and researcher at the Vasa Museum.
“Researchers have begun to realise that women were probably more common on warships than previously assumed. Not as soldiers or sailors, but it is likely that they came as wives or perhaps with other roles”, explains Forssberg.
Appearance and personality
Gender is only one example of what examining DNA can reveal; appearance and personality can also be observed.
“We can see if a person has musical genes or if a person is a thrill-seeker and likes a challenge. You can see aspects such as if a person likes coriander or not, along with other taste preferences. We can see whether a person has dry or wet earwax. Perhaps not the most essential knowledge”, comments Allen.
The Vasa Museum hopes this research project will lead to many exciting new results. Besides sequencing DNA, new isotope analyses are conducted and an osteologist is examining the bones.
“We carry out archeological examinations of the items found close to the remains. We hope that all of this will give us a clearer picture of the people. Thanks to Marie and her team of researchers we are already closer, as we now know what they looked like. It is relevant to us to know if a person was blonde or red-haired. It gives us a new view of them”, adds Forssberg.
New exhibition
The new results will eventually be presented in a whole new exhibition.
The project not only adds new knowledge to the history of Vasa, but the technology and methods have also advanced the frontier of what is possible for present-day cases.
“We work a lot on forensic DNA sequencing to pinpoint better methods and gain a better resolution ratio. What we have learned from these challenging substances and from dealing with degradation, damages and tiny amounts can now be applied to our forensic science, meaning we can help solve cases more urgent than this,” says Allen.