DNA led researchers to consider whether a buried individual had an extra X-chromosome that was swamping the signal from the Y. Having an anomalous number of sex chromosomes is rare, but not vanishingly so
-chromosome in a skeleton and the chances are the body in question was male. And, looking at a fragment of femur brought to her by Ms Moilanen, who is the archaeologist in the collaboration, Dr Salmela, who is the geneticist, did indeed find such. But not much of it. That led her to wonder about contamination, but also to consider whether the individual in the grave had had an extraHaving an anomalous number of sex chromosomes is rare, but not vanishingly so.
While Dr Salmela was working all this out, Ms Moilanen and her team had another look at the grave. They confirmed that it was a high-status burial. For instance, they discovered traces of feathers below the spot where the skull had been, hinting that the deceased individual’s head had rested on a feather pillow. They also found evidence of fine furs, probably from foxes.
Clearly, this was a venerated human being, but what led to that veneration in a world then dominated by masculine values is a matter of speculation. Perhaps the person in question came from a family powerful enough for such things not to matter. But perhaps those who did not fit easily into sexual categories nevertheless had honoured roles in society.
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