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 information about the anonymous individuals and their lives aboard. 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. 

Advances in next-generation sequencing (NGS) have enabled the development of more sensitive techniques for analysing 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 DNA analyses enabled predictions of phenotype and ancestry for nearly all 15 individuals, providing valuable information to integrate in facial and body reconstructions on display at the museum. The majority were blond and blue-eyed, with light to intermediate skin tones. The DNA results revealed European Y- and mtDNA haplogroups, supported by isotope analysis, and suggesting Scandinavian origin. 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 DNA testing also revealed that a male was, in fact, a female, which has made headlines in international media. Based on genetic data, the sex of two individuals was inconsistent with previous osteological analyses.

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. 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.

Authors

• Marie Allen (Uppsala university, Sweden)
• Kimberly Sturk-Andreaggi (Armed Forces Medical Examiner System – Armed Forces DNA Identification laboratory (AFMES-AFDIL), United States of America)
• Andreas Tillmar (The National Board of Forensic Medicine, Sweden)
• Anna Maria Forssberg (The Vasa Museum, National Maritime Museums, Sweden)
• Fred Hocker (The Vasa Museum, National Maritime Museums, Sweden)