DNA Analysis Confirms Identity of 'Well-Man' from Norse Saga

Researchers have linked skeletal remains found in a Norwegian castle well to a figure described in an 800-year-old Norse saga through genetic sequencing.

Scientists used genomic methods to identify the 'Well-man,' whose remains were found in a well at Sverresborg Castle in Norway, as described in the Sverris Saga.
Radiocarbon dating confirmed the remains are approximately 900 years old, aligning with the timeline of the 1197 raid described in the saga.
The Well-man is believed to have had blue eyes and blond or light-brown hair, and his ancestry traces back to the southern region of Norway, challenging prior assumptions about his origins.
The research highlights the potential of combining historical texts with modern DNA analysis to verify historical events and identify individuals from ancient narratives.
While the study corroborates the saga's account, the exact cause of death and whether the body was used for biological warfare remains uncertain due to limitations in testing.