“They took a dead man and cast him into the well and then filled it up with stones.” This line from Sverris Saga, written by Benedictine poet Karl Jónsson in the early 1200s, recounts a grim moment from medieval Norway.
Now, a group of scientists has identified the man.
How was this possible? It started as a passing detail in a saga about a battle in 11th-century Norway. But researchers from universities in Scandinavia, Iceland, and Ireland have now matched archaeological evidence to the story.
In fact, the bones were discovered in 1938 at the bottom of an old well at Sverresborg Castle. At the time, available technology revealed little, and the remains were set aside. Decades later, advancements in science allowed researchers to revisit the case—and the results are remarkable.
From myth to history. Norse sagas often blend historical events with mythological elements, making them seem like pre-modern fantasy literature. For centuries, Norse kings employed skalds—warrior poets—to record their exploits. While the sagas contain embellishments, they’ve increasingly proven to hold historical truths.
Archaeological evidence, like the discovery of this soldier, is validating these ancient stories in surprisingly concrete ways.
Uncovering the past. A team from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology decided to reexamine the remains. With only a dust sample from a tooth, they used modern techniques, including radiocarbon dating, gene sequencing, and isotope analysis, to build a profile of the man.
They determined that he was between 30 and 40 years old when he died, about 900 years ago, aligning with the events described in the saga. “We also know, thanks to the genomic analysis, that he likely had blond or light brown hair and blue eyes,” the researchers explain.
A stranger far from home. The evidence suggests the man was from Vest-Agder, Norway’s southernmost county—hundreds of miles from where his remains were found. Researchers believe he was likely one of the Catholic fighters attempting to storm Sverresborg Castle while King Sverre was away.
While his name and life story remain unknown, the details fit the saga’s account, offering a glimpse into the events of 1197.
Bringing ancient stories to life. Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of this discovery is how modern technology is breathing life into ancient texts, transforming myth into tangible history. This achievement is akin to the discovery of Troy in its ability to connect literature with archaeological evidence.
Image | Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research
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