The Faroe Islands, a North Atlantic archipelago, were traditionally believed to have been first settled by Vikings in the mid-9th century CE. However, indirect evidence suggested earlier human presence. This study presents sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA) and molecular fecal biomarker evidence from a lake sediment core near an archaeological site. Results reveal increased fecal biomarker concentrations and the first appearance of sheep DNA around 500 CE, predating Norse settlements by 300 years. Sedimentary plant DNA shows changes consistent with livestock grazing, providing unequivocal evidence for human arrival and livestock impact centuries before Viking settlement.
Publisher
Communications Earth & Environment
Published On
Oct 26, 2021
Authors
Lorelei Curtin, William J. D'Andrea, Nicholas L. Balascio, Sabrina Shirazi, Beth Shapiro, Gregory A. de Wet, Raymond S. Bradley, Jostein Bakke
Tags
Faroe Islands
Vikings
human presence
sedimentary ancient DNA
livestock impact
archaeological evidence
sheep DNA
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