The Vasa warship sank in Stockholm Harbour (Sweden) in 1628. During the salvage operation in 1961, skeletal remains were uncovered both inside and outside the vessel. Since then, historical sources, artefacts, clothing, osteology, anthropology, archaeology, isotopes, and DNA analysis have been employed to provide further information about the anonymous individuals and their lives aboard. In particular, examinations of the skeletal remains and DNA analyses have been integrated with facial and body reconstructions. The osteological investigation revealed that the individuals ranged in age from 14 to 50 years. The entire ship, clothing, artefacts, skeletal remains, and reconstructions have been on display for the general public at the Vasa Museum since 1990, making it a popular tourist attraction and the most visited museum in Scandinavia.
Advancements in next-generation sequencing (NGS) have enabled the development of more sensitive techniques suitable for degraded DNA in historical remains. In this study, DNA results for 15 individuals were derived from low-coverage whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Additionally, a targeted approach utilising hybridisation and a capture panel was employed. The FORensic Capture Enrichment (FORCE) panel was introduced in 2021 as an all-in-one SNP set for forensic applications. In total, the panel targets approximately 5500 SNPs, including markers for identity, ancestry, and phenotype found in most forensic kits. Furthermore, the panel includes both X- and Y-chromosomal SNPs for lineage investigations. The FORCE panel enabled predictions of phenotype and ancestry for nearly all 15 individuals, providing valuable information for facial reconstructions on display at the museum.
The DNA testing revealed that a male aboard this famed 17th-century warship was, in fact, a female, which has recently made headlines in international news. The FORCE data were also utilised to confirm the re-association of separate skeletal elements to a particular individual, as well as to assess relatedness in order to identify family members on the ship. Based on genetic data, the sex of two individuals was inconsistent with previous osteological analyses. Further anthropological investigations supported the genomic determination of sex in these cases and provided additional important information about injuries concerning the people on the Vasa. This case example illustrates the valuable insights that can be revealed through the application of the FORCE panel to degraded skeletal remains. Moreover, WGS data were employed to analyse mitochondrial and Y-chromosome haplogroups, as well as SNP-based ancestry predictions. The DNA results revealed that the 15 individuals who perished on the Vasa had European Y- and mtDNA haplogroups. The findings were supported by an isotope analysis, suggesting that most individuals likely grew up in various regions of Sweden or Finland. The majority were blond and blue-eyed, with light to intermediate skin tones. Lastly, additional SNPs were assessed to predict traits such as facial features, fast-twitch/slow-twitch muscle composition, male pattern baldness, freckles, gluten/lactose intolerance, and cravings for alcohol.
The rapid technological advancements in DNA analysis have also been observed in other areas of human identification. Previously, limitations in robustness and sensitivity hindered the analysis of numerous forensic criminal cases and investigations into missing persons or cold cases. However, advanced tools such as MPS, WGS, and high-density SNP approaches now enable the resolution of a greater number of these long-standing cases, providing closure to victims and their families after years of uncertainty.
The initiative for the analyses conducted in this study originated from scientists at the Vasa Museum. After years of research, the findings have been incorporated into an updated exhibition at Stockholm’s Vasa Museum, enriching public understanding of a historical event and enhancing the educational experience for visitors. In conclusion, this serves as an intriguing case study demonstrating how research across multiple disciplines can contribute to new insights about a historical disaster and the people who were aboard the famed 17th-century warship.
The Vasa warship sank in Stockholm Harbour (Sweden) in 1628. During the salvage operation in 1961, skeletal remains were uncovered both inside and outside the vessel. Since then, historical sources, artefacts, clothing, osteology, anthropology, archaeology, isotopes, and DNA analysis have been employed to provide further information about the anonymous individuals and their lives aboard. In particular, examinations of the skeletal remains and DNA analyses have been integrated with facial and body reconstructions. The osteological investigation revealed that the individuals ranged in age from 14 to 50 years. The entire ship, clothing, artefacts, skeletal remains, and reconstructions have been on display for the general public at the Vasa Museum since 1990, making it a popular tourist attraction and the most visited museum in Scandinavia.
Advancements in next-generation sequencing (NGS) have enabled the development of more sensitive techniques suitable for degraded DNA in historical remains. In this study, DNA results for 15 individuals were derived from low-coverage whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Additionally, a targeted approach utilising hybridisation and a capture panel was employed. The FORensic Capture Enrichment (FORCE) panel was introduced in 2021 as an all-in-one SNP set for forensic applications. In total, the panel targets approximately 5500 SNPs, including markers for identity, ancestry, and phenotype found in most forensic kits. Furthermore, the panel includes both X- and Y-chromosomal SNPs for lineage investigations. The FORCE panel enabled predictions of phenotype and ancestry for nearly all 15 individuals, providing valuable information for facial reconstructions on display at the museum.
The DNA testing revealed that a male aboard this famed 17th-century warship was, in fact, a female, which has recently made headlines in international news. The FORCE data were also utilised to confirm the re-association of separate skeletal elements to a particular individual, as well as to assess relatedness in order to identify family members on the ship. Based on genetic data, the sex of two individuals was inconsistent with previous osteological analyses. Further anthropological investigations supported the genomic determination of sex in these cases and provided additional important information about injuries concerning the people on the Vasa. This case example illustrates the valuable insights that can be revealed through the application of the FORCE panel to degraded skeletal remains. Moreover, WGS data were employed to analyse mitochondrial and Y-chromosome haplogroups, as well as SNP-based ancestry predictions. The DNA results revealed that the 15 individuals who perished on the Vasa had European Y- and mtDNA haplogroups. The findings were supported by an isotope analysis, suggesting that most individuals likely grew up in various regions of Sweden or Finland. The majority were blond and blue-eyed, with light to intermediate skin tones. Lastly, additional SNPs were assessed to predict traits such as facial features, fast-twitch/slow-twitch muscle composition, male pattern baldness, freckles, gluten/lactose intolerance, and cravings for alcohol.
The rapid technological advancements in DNA analysis have also been observed in other areas of human identification. Previously, limitations in robustness and sensitivity hindered the analysis of numerous forensic criminal cases and investigations into missing persons or cold cases. However, advanced tools such as MPS, WGS, and high-density SNP approaches now enable the resolution of a greater number of these long-standing cases, providing closure to victims and their families after years of uncertainty.
The initiative for the analyses conducted in this study originated from scientists at the Vasa Museum. After years of research, the findings have been incorporated into an updated exhibition at Stockholm’s Vasa Museum, enriching public understanding of a historical event and enhancing the educational experience for visitors. In conclusion, this serves as an intriguing case study demonstrating how research across multiple disciplines can contribute to new insights about a historical disaster and the people who were aboard the famed 17th-century warship.
Workshop currently at capacity. A waitlist is available to join on our registration page.
Professor of Forensic Genetics, Uppsala University
Marie Allen is a Professor of Forensic Genetics. Her research team at Uppsala University (UU) is working on improving forensic DNA analysis assays for improved sensitivity and better discrimination. The research is also focused on developing strategies to counteract common challenges in evidence material, such as DNA degradation, DNA damage, DNA mixtures, and contamination.
