Russia_Viking 3 samples 23andme format

The Varangians were Norsemen, primarily from present-day Sweden, who traveled eastward during the Viking Age. Unlike their cousins who sailed west to raid England and France, the Varyags navigated the massive river systems of Eastern Europe, creating a legacy that laid the foundation for the first Russian state.

Most came from the Swedish regions of Uppland and Roslagen. They were famous for mastering the trade routes from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea (leading to Constantinople) and the Caspian Sea (leading to Baghdad).

According to the Primary Chronicle, various tribes were fighting amongst themselves and decided to "seek a prince who may rule over us." In 862, they purportedly invited a Varangian chieftain named Rurik to bring order. Rurik established himself in Novgorod. His successor, Oleg, moved the capital to Kiev in 882, forming the federation known as Kievan Rus'.

For this video, I’ve gathered the genomes of 3 Russian Varangians dating to 10th and 11th centuries AD. All three samples come from the territory of Volkhov near lake Ladoga.