Among the 20 recovered skeletons from the famous Vasa Warship wreck was a male that scientists called Gustav. However, a DNA analysis shows that the skeleton actually belonged to a woman, while a lifelike reconstruction brings her likeness to life.
Woman's Skeleton
Live Science reports that earlier this year, DNA analysis revealed that Gustav was actually a female, not a male. The analysis, performed by Marie Allen, who is a forensic genetics professor from Uppsala University, and Dr. Kimberly Andreaggi, who is from the AFMES-AFDIL (Armed Forces Medical Examiner System's Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory), showed that the woman was around 25 to 30 years old when she died. She also had blonde hair, pale skin, and blue eyes, as explained by Oscar Nilsson, the forensic artist behind the updated reconstruction. As such, the woman's skeleton gained a new nickname: Gertrude.
Nilsson adds that the sex of Gertrude hints that the woman was married. He explains that, based on written sources, only married women who are married to a man who boarded the ship could also board the voyage.
Gertrude could have also lived a difficult life despite her youth. Live Science explains that a skeletal analysis performed on her back showed that she repeatedly carried heavy objects. As such, Nilsson explains that Gertrude's face could have exuded hard work.
Gertrude's Lifelike Reconstruction
Gustav was Gertrude!
— Fake History Hunter (@fakehistoryhunt) July 4, 2023
Recent DNA research on remains found in the 17th century Vasa shipwreck has revealed that what was thought to be a man in his 40s was actually a woman in her 20s-30s!
The incredibly talented O.D. Nilsson had to make a whole new recreation: pic.twitter.com/HbYWo6TUxc
Nilsson had the 3D plastic print of the skull from the 2006 reconstruction of Gertrude as well as the CT scan. As such, he grounded his efforts on this by examining the tissue thickness of Gertrude. This was pulled from a chart of modern North European and Scandinavian women who had a similar weight and age as Gertrude.
Such tissue measurements helped with the peg height that he placed over the skull replica. This replica was then used for guidance as he placed platicine clay layers of muscle over the head of the woman. The shape and size of her mouth, eyes, and nose were guided by scientific techniques.
Nilsson explains that the ears were more speculative, but that it depends on the surface and size of the process of mastoid behind the ears. The forensic artist further notes that a big mastoid process entails a big ear, which was the case for Gertrude.
While Nilsson tried to carefully give Gertrude an expression that is close to Gustav, there were some differences in the reconstructions. In the past, Gustav's nose was tipped downward, but cranial analysis showed that Gertrude had a more typical nose. On top of this, Gustav was initially thought to be 45 years old, but Gertrude was found to be younger. Hence, Nilsson gave her lips more volume.
Agenparl adds that the forensic artist further collaborated with textile expert Anna Silwerulv for the reconstruction of a hat as well as a dark gray jacket, which were both spotted with Gertrude's remains. Live Science explains that microscopic analysis showed that the hat had a bright red hue.
Gertrude was displayed on June 28 in the Vasa Museum. She will be the museum's main attraction during the "Face to Face" exhibition that is set to launch in around one year.
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