DNA testing sheds light on old Viking murder mystery

Almost 40 years after the famous ‘Gerdrupgraven’ discovery was made near Roskilde, archaeologists uncover key piece of evidence 

One of the top draws at Roskilde Museum is the Gerdrup Grave, a 1,000-year-old Viking interment discovered 39 years ago just north of Roskilde in the tiny hamlet of Gerdrup.

The grave contains the skeletons of a man and a woman, and archaeologists have long speculated who they might be and why they were buried together.

Another element of the mystery is that the man was killed at some point and buried next to the woman. 

The Gerdrup Grave has another important aspect to it: it was the first discovery that proved that Viking women were buried along with a weapon – in this case a lance.

Familial link
Well, now some new information has surfaced about the longstanding mystery.

DNA testing has revealed that the pair are actually mother and son, and that the man was not, as previously believed, a sacrificial slave. 

“It’s an incredibly exciting and surprising result we have here. We need to thoroughly consider what this means,” Ole Kastholm, an archaeologist and senior curator at Roskilde Museum, told TV2 Lorry.

The revelation means that the history of the Gerdrup Grave needs to be rewritten and that a new mystery needs to be solved.

“We need to look at whether other graves and other source material from the Viking Age could reveal some patterns that might help us solve this case,” said Kastholm.

READ ALSO: Missing for 400 years: Archaeologists discover missing 17th century warship 

Sagas hold the key?
The key to solving the enigma could be found in one of the old Icelandic Sagas, a series of narratives written between the 12th and 15th centuries covering Viking history.

The man in the grave looks to have been executed, hung and bound before being laid in the grave. Meanwhile, the woman was weighed down with large stones.

One theory is that the lance belonging to the woman in the grave is actually a sorceress’s staff.

Something Odd about them?
One of the sagas tells the story of the sorceress Katla and her son Odd who were persecuted and executed. Odd was hung and Katla was stoned to death.

While the plot thickens and archaeologists work to solve the latest part of the puzzle, the skeletons can be viewed at Roskilde Museum.

Read more about the Gerdrup Grave here (in English).

(photo: Roskilde Museum)
(photo: Roskilde Museum)



  • The Ice Queen reigns in Dyrehaven

    The Ice Queen reigns in Dyrehaven

    The lovely forest in Dyrehaven once again forms the setting for a magnificent outdoor spectacle when Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale The Snow Queen is staged by the Royal Danish Theatre. Enduring all trials in the world, it’s a story about fighting for the one you love on a journey through worlds of magic and mystery.

  • What are you doing in Denmark? Knowing more about the Little Mermaid

    What are you doing in Denmark? Knowing more about the Little Mermaid

    In this episode, Derek, Mike, and Conrad have a laugh-filled discussion about the strange history of Denmark’s most iconic statue

  • Becoming a best-selling author, the Danish Way

    Becoming a best-selling author, the Danish Way

    Ali Al-Mokdad is a manager in the humanitarian sector and columnist of The Copenhagen Post. Recently, his book “Quantum Humanitarian” ranked as the #1 hot release on Amazon in philanthropy, refugee studies, and conflict response, and a #1 bestseller in its category

  • The award-nominated international trying to build belonging in Denmark

    The award-nominated international trying to build belonging in Denmark

    Elisabeth McClure is the founder and CEO of Nabo, an app designed to build communities and a sense of belonging among internationals in Denmark. As user interest continues to grow, so has recognition from broader institutions, as she and her team have been nominated for several awards this year, including the Nordic Women in Tech Awards and the Nordic Startup Awards.

  • Housing prices in Denmark up 4.6 times in 30 Years, 8.5 times in Copenhagen

    Housing prices in Denmark up 4.6 times in 30 Years, 8.5 times in Copenhagen

    Kiril Boyanov, a data analyst currently working for MV Shipbrokers with a professional background at Ørsted and ITU, conducted a detailed analysis to examine how much home prices have increased. Unfortunately, they have risen more than wages.

  • Mette F. and Giorgia Meloni met in Rome: “We both want a new European asylum system”

    Mette F. and Giorgia Meloni met in Rome: “We both want a new European asylum system”

    Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen met last night with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome, to mainly discuss the challenges around migration in Europe. As a result, they published an open letter to re-examine international conventions

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.


  • Barriers that internationals are facing in Denmark: presentation of the study and debate

    Barriers that internationals are facing in Denmark: presentation of the study and debate

    On Monday, 26 May 2025, Copenhagen Capacity will present the results of the Expat Survey 2025 at an event in central Copenhagen

  • An international’s book becomes a bestseller in Denmark

    An international’s book becomes a bestseller in Denmark

    As his book Quantum Humanitarian quietly reaches readers across Europe — recently ranked as the #1 hot release on Amazon in philanthropy, refugee studies, and conflict response, and a #1 bestseller in its category — Ali Al Mokdad reflects on the disconnect in modern aid work, and the quiet strength of those who lead without being seen

  • “Don’t erase who you are to fit in: STAND OUT—but with substance”

    “Don’t erase who you are to fit in: STAND OUT—but with substance”

    Ambre James-Brown didn’t just move to Denmark for a job —she stepped into a new life chapter, balancing ambition with vulnerability, and career with identity. As Vice President of Global Media & Stakeholder Communication at Novo Nordisk, she’s learned that success isn’t about assimilation. “I like to say I’m Dane-ish. More “ish” than Dane. I’m bringing the best parts of me to blend with the best parts of Denmark,” she explains.