Search for Viking pirate descendants

British scientists collect DNA from people in France in search of Viking descendants, sailors and pirates sailed to invade 9-10th century Europe.

British scientists search for Viking pirate descendants

British scientists on June 15 began collecting DNA from people in the peninsula of Cotentin, in Normandy, north of France, in search of Viking descendants .

Viking fleet.(Photo: Mary Evans photo gallery)

The Vikings went to sea very well. Viking pirates sail across Europe, as far as the Mediterranean, North Africa, the Middle East, . looting, invading and settling in occupied lands. In addition, they were former explorers, merchants, warriors, and pirates who lived in Scandinavia , in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden today.

About 100 volunteers in the Cotentin Peninsula provide DNA samples to Leicester University scholars. They were chosen for their Scandinavian name, living in France since the 11th century or having grandparents living near the house, within a 50 km radius.

According to historical lecturer Richard Jones, the purpose of this was to understand more about the " Scandinavian colonial aggression and propagation " in the 9th and 10th centuries, and to find out whether they took the same lineage, is to marry indigenous people when invading.

However, this study is causing concern that there will be apartheid in France, although the French government has given the green light for research.

"We are worried that this will create a sense that there are real Norman and fake Norman, " The Guardian quoted Jacques Declosmenil, who headed the local anti-racism movement. "In the context of xenophobia like today, it is dangerous."

Pierre Bauduin, professor of Medieval History at Caen University, also warned Leicester University scholars that racial origin is an extremely sensitive subject in France.

In addition to Normandy, the team also performed Viking posthumous searches in three other regions in England.