National Geographic - Viking Warrior Women (2019)

Think of a Viking warrior and you probably imagine a fearsome, muscular, bearded man. Well, think again. Using cutting-edge facial recognition technology, scientists have brought to life the battle-hardened face of a female fighter who lived more than 1,000 years ago. Previously, it was presumed the grave in Sweden couldn't belong to a warrior because it was a female's remains. However, new research unearthed a collection of deadly weaponry alongside the body and a sword wound on her skull, which the investigation team believe proves that this is the first confirmed Viking woman with a battle injury. The significance of the discovery at the centre of Viking Warrior Women can't be underestimated. This is possibly the first ever face of a female Viking warrior, brought back to life. This is the very latest cutting edge technology being used and it's a possible game changer for historians and archaeologists. The discovery could mean that previous archaeology sites needs to be reassessed and explored again, because all the old assumptions about only men being on the battlefield might have been a mistake. During the one-hour programme, paleoanthropologist and National Geographic Explorer Ella Al-Shamahi travels to the UK, Sweden and Denmark, visiting graveyards, reviewing Viking remains and speaking to experts as she seeks to uncover evidence about the frontline exploits of these female warriors.

Produced by Wild Blue Media for National Geographic Networks

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