Scandinavian Origins and DNA

Important Note: Please be aware that ancient DNA researchers and studies are now CONSTANTLY making new discoveries, both in field finds and lab analyses or with new techniques. The exciting NEW field of Archaeogenetics is combining traditional archaeology with DNA analyses to come up with new ideas and theories, as well as proving or disproving old opinions about our ancient ancestors and their migrations.

INTRO: Please enjoy these excellent summaries of our Scandinavian Origins presented in the Youtubes linked here.

Genetic Origin of Swedish DNA - NOTE that this includes a good summary of the 3 main groups who were ancestors of the Norwegians, too! - Youtube

Norwegian DNA - What is the Genetic History of Norway? - Youtube

Swedish DNA - What is the Genetic History of Sweden? - Youtube

DNA Differences Between the Celtic & Germanic Peoples - The 1st 1/2 of this video explains the areas covered by each group, including maps, with an emphasis, however, on the two groups at the time of Roman domination of much of Europe.
The 2nd 1/2 gives detailed DNA groupings of both areas.
Be sure to note his comments about the newer theories of the Celts originating on the Western European Coastal areas versus the traditional view of a more central European sourcing.
Note also, how the well developed western coastline and trading mix well with the new Rock Art finds tieing Iberia with Scandinavia. - Youtube June 2026

Please use these links to the articles and videos below

Page Content: (below)

Before Humans - The Geography of the Ice Ages (below)

Coastal Sea Trade BEFORE the Vikings (moved to Pre-Viking History & Cutures page)

The Yamnaya - Invaders from the Steppes (below)

Before Humans - The Geography of the Ice Ages
The Original "Rock Carving" of Scandinavia.
image by Bruna Santos at unsplash

Scientists are seeing ice age beginnings for the very first time - from the bottom of the North Sea - documenting the beginning of the ice ages 2.6 million years ago. - Article from ScienceNorway.no Oct. 2020

Norway has experienced a remarkable number of ice ages - Article continuing theme from above article - from ScienceNorway.no Dec. 2025

The Scandinavians Traveling the Seas and Trading
BEFORE the Vikings
And their related Rock Carvings

Bronze Age boat carvings reveal vast sea networks linking Iberia and Scandinavia - over 3000 years ago! - Article from Archaeology Magazine June 2026.

Was there a Viking Age in Norway — 2000 years before the Vikings? It may be that people from the North went to the Mediterranean with "Viking ships" as early as 3000 years ago. This article has examples of rock carvings of ships and discusses Pre-Viking ships and how far they probably traveled in them.

Ship rock art found by "Bronze age art hunters" in Norway.
"Three friends crack the code for finding petroglyphs, ancient rock carvings" - Article from ScienceNorway.no April 2020

Yamnaya - Immigrants or Invaders?

Yamnaya - Pastoralists who brought wheels, horses, milk tolerance, and (probably) light skin and tall stature from the Eurasian Pontic-Caspian Steppe north of the Black and Caspian Seas - an area which included modern-day Ukraine and parts of Russia.

Yamnaya Culture - Wikipedia article
Please see Wikipedia article for map artist credits

Guests are AWAYS Welcome at our Live Meetings online.

See our HOME page for the dates and instructions on how to join us!!

Note: Join in our Question and Answer period to share your own exciting discoveries with people who appreciate them! Stay online after the meeting, and our members will be happy to help you with your specific Scandinavian research.