“Gertrud” was blond, blue-eyed and probably wore a red woolen cap. With the help of new DNA analyses, the researchers have succeeded in reconstructing what people on board the ship Vasa looked like.
New DNA analyzes of the skeletons from Vasa have given researchers more pieces of the puzzle. Thanks to the analyses, we now know the hair, skin and eye color of an individual called G, who was previously thought to have been a man but has turned out to be a woman.
A facial reconstruction has been done on “Gertrud”, according to a press release from the Vasa Museum.
“With new DNA analyses, we have concluded that the individual we call G very likely had light hair, blue eyes and a light skin tone,” says Marie Allen, professor of forensic genetics at Uppsala University.
The facial reconstruction has been done by sculptor and archaeologist Oscar Nilsson in collaboration with Anna Silverulv, costume and textile researcher at the Vasa Museum, who recreated the cap using fabric fragments found near the skeleton.
“I was very touched to see her in the hat. It was like standing in front of her on August 10, 1628. She has dressed up for this journey,” says Oscar Nilsson.
The regal ship Vasa sank off Beckholmen in Stockholm’s inlet on its maiden voyage on the day in question.