Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

A history of Vikings, archaeology, and the assumptions we make, shown through the story of an unexpected discovery. In 1871, Swedish entomologist Hjalmar Stolpe traveled to the small Baltic Sea island of Björkö seeking fossilized insects trapped in amber. Instead he found the remains of abandoned Viking town Birka. Intrigued, he became a passionate advocate for a new type of archaeology that integrated natural sciences. One of his most significant finds was grave Bj 581, containing skeletons of a human and two horses, weapons, and the remains of splendid clothes, among other things. Stolpe was sure he’d found an important Viking warrior—naturally, he assumed, a man. In 2009, an examination by Swedish archaeology professor Anna Kjellström, whose specialty is osteology, indicated that the bones were likely female. DNA analysis later revealed that the Bj 581 warrior had XX chromosomes. Mystery writer Surrisi covers this compelling story—including how the archaeological world reacted to the news and what gender (including transgender identity) and sex might have meant in the Viking world—in minute detail along with touching upon the history of the Vikings, how we’ve learned about them, and how our understanding has changed over time. Occasionally her prose lacks clarity and the narrative feels adrift; however, her scope and the thoroughness with which she tells the story give readers a very good feel for how scientific research works and how bias impacts investigation. A worthwhile account of a provocative find. (glossary, discussion questions, resources, source notes, index) (Nonfiction. 12-18) Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

In 1878, entomologist Hjalmar Stolpe discovered the grave of an Iron Age mummy in Birka, Sweden, which he called grave Bj 581. The grave also contained two horse mummies and weapons, so he assumed Bj 581 was a male Viking warrior. But in the years since Stolpe’s find, DNA revealed that the body was actually female. This flew in the face of widely held assumptions about gender identity and sex and caused a firestorm of criticism that continues today. To illuminate how it’s possible that Bj 581 might have been a female warrior, Surrisi describes Viking history and society. The latter part of the book illustrates the scientific process archaeologists use, addresses research bias, and investigates the interpretations and assumptions researchers make concerning sex and gender identity, nonconformity, and fluidity. The book also explores women’s agency, citing examples of women in the past who cross-dressed to fight in wars. With well-sourced back matter that includes black-and-white illustrations, photos, maps, and discussion questions, this is an eye-opening and informative look at changing history.

School Library Journal
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Gr 9 Up—In 1871, a Swedish entomologist named Hjalmar Stolpe went to the island of Björkö in the northern Baltic Sea to search for bits of amber. Instead, he found what would become one of the greatest archeological sites, the Viking town of Birka that included a burial mound of what appeared to be a high ranking warrior, called Bj 581, dubbed the King of Birka. Given what was known about Viking society and the limits of scientific inquiry at the time, it was assumed that Bj 581 was male. However, with the development of DNA analysis and osteology (the study of bone), modern scientists, like Dr. Charlotte Hedenstierna-Jonson, have been able to determine that Bj 581 was, in fact, biologically female. Surrisi begins with an engaging synopsis of many related aspects including, but not limited to, an introduction to Viking society, archeological techniques developed by Stolpe himself, and the history of Birka. Much of the second half of the book discusses the many upset reactions from the archeological community to this discovery and the scientists' efforts to defend their finding. Surrisi's final chapters provide an in-depth, nuanced, and thought-provoking discussion of gender roles and identity in Viking society as well as how bias can affect interpretation of artifacts, all of which are equally engrossing. The work is well documented with notes and sources as well as a useful glossary, discussion questions, and resources; final illustrations not seen. VERDICT A great recommendation for history lovers, but also an important addition to society's current discourse on gender expression, roles, and identity.—Karen T. Bilton

Publishers Weekly
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Surrisi (The Unofficial Lola Bay Fan Club) delivers an extensively researched work about the finding—and its scientific ramifications—of the 1,000-year-old Viking town of Birka. In 1878, while searching the island of Björkö, Sweden, for fossilized insects, entomologist Hjalmar Stolpe (1841–1905) instead uncovered the remains of Birka, considered “one of the most significant Viking finds in history.” Even more crucial, however, was the recovery of a nearly intact burial chamber containing the skeleton of a Viking warrior, whom Stolpe assumed was male. Chapters present informative details regarding Viking history as it stood before the discovery of Birka and the evolution of archaeology, providing context for Stolpe’s work and setting the scene for contemporary findings. In 2009, more than 140 years of examination later, osteology archeologist Anna Kjellstrom deduced that the recovered skeleton belonged to a female Viking, prompting intense debate within the archaeology community. Discussions regarding gender identity and how it might have been expressed in the Vikings’ past feature prominently throughout. Though Surrisi’s dense, institutional prose is occasionally inaccessible, riveting historical detail paired with commentary surrounding preconceived notions and their effect on analysis makes for a thought-provoking telling. A glossary, discussion questions, and extensive source notes conclude. Ages 12–up. (Apr.)