Ancient DNA solves 5,500 year old burial mystery in Sweden
Science Daily
February 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A groundbreaking study using ancient DNA has revealed that families 5,500 years ago were more complex than previously thought. Researchers from Uppsala University analyzed DNA from four shared graves at the Ajvide burial site on Gotland, Sweden, uncovering surprising familial relationships. Many individuals buried together were not immediate family but second- or third-degree relatives, suggesting a society where extended kinship ties played a significant role.
One grave contained a young woman buried with two children who were full siblings. DNA testing showed that while the children shared close biological ties, the woman was not their mother but likely their aunt or half-sibling. In another grave, two children were found together, and genetic analysis indicated they were cousins rather than brother and sister. These findings challenge previous assumptions about Stone Age family structures and burial practices, highlighting a deeper understanding of lineage and extended relationships.
The Ajvide site is one of Scandinavia’s most significant Stone Age
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Originally published on Science Daily on 2/19/2026