“This engaging nonfiction book for young adults offers an impartial discussion of the controversial DNA findings for the person in Viking grave Bj 581, and all of the archaeological, historical, and literary fallout that followed it, including long-overdue discussions of Viking women, gender, and our biases about people of the past.” —Sebastian Peiter, executive producer and writer of Viking Warrior Women
“
The Bones of Birka by C. M. Surrisi
opens up a thousand-year-old Viking grave site and allows us to peer into a mystery. Who was in grave site Bj 581 and why does it matter? Surrisi starts us off with traditional assumptions of the male Viking warrior and his wide-ranging exploits and travels. Given that, the Viking skeleton in Bj 581 surrounded by ancient weapons must be male. More than a hundred years later, a female team of archeologists, anthropologists, osteologists, and geneticists open the world’s eyes and our own to a new finding. The skeleton in Bj 581 was female.
Surrisi’s in-depth and timely research turns Viking narratives into questions and doing so challenges our own biases about our history and ourselves. Anyone young or old fascinated by archaeology, bones, and what they reveal will want to read this book.” —
Caren Stelson, author of
Sachiko: A Nagasaki Bomb Survivor’s Story and
Stars of the Night:The Courageous Children of the Czech Kindertransport “This fascinating exploration of a high-profile Viking Age burial and its place in research history offers its readers a plethora of different dimensions to explore and contemplate. Touching on the archaeological process and research history, it
asks important and interesting questions about how we create and sustain our knowledge of past cultures and identities. Crucially, it manages to do so by being both entertaining and informative. I have no doubt it will inspire its audience to continue exploring the questions it raises about our relationship with the past.” —
Dr. Marianne Moen, University of Oslo, and author of
The Gendered Landscape“
The Bones of Birka is
a stunning book! It explores what happens when the ancient bones of a Viking warrior are analyzed using the latest technology and turn out to be female. You’ll question everything you thought you knew about Vikings, archaeology, gender roles, and gender fluidity.” —
Elizabeth Partridge, author of
Seen and Unseen“C. M. Surrisi’s
accessible, impeccably researched account seamlessly weaves history, archaeology, and modern scientific methods to create a real page-turner sure to fascinate readers. This is long form nonfiction at its finest.” —
Deborah Hopkinson, author of
Race Against Death"... An eye-opening and informative look at changing history" —
Booklist"A worthwhile account of a provocative find" —
Kirkus Reviews"A worthwhile account of a provocative find"
— Kirkus Reviews"...riveting historical detail paired with commentary surrounding preconceived notions and their effect on analysis makes for a thought-provoking telling" —
Publishers WeeklyA great recommendation for history lovers, but also an important addition to society’s current discourse on gender expression, roles, and identity. —
School Library Journal
