How many female Viking warriors does it take to make a fact? When archaeologist Dr. Charlotte Hedenstierna-Jonson discovers that the bones contained in the most significant Viking warrior grave ever opened are in fact female, she and her team upend centuries of historically accepted conclusions and ignite a furious debate around the reality of female Viking warriors and the role of gender in both ancient and modern times. In The Bones of Birka, author C. M. Surrisi introduces young readers to the events that led up to this discovery and the impact it has had on scientists' and historians' views of gender roles in ancient societies and today. This is the inside account of the Birka warrior grave Bj 581 archaeological endeavor, including all of the dreams, setbacks, frustrations, excitement, politics, and personalities that went into this history-changing discovery. The finding has raised crucial questions about research bias, academic dialogue, and gender identity.

Includes chronology. Includes glossary.

A remakable find: Birka, Sweden, 1878 -- What we know about the Vikings -- Hjalmar Stolpe: the king of Birka and his most fascinating find -- Birka today -- A closer look at Viking bones by osteologists and archaeologists -- Osteologists weigh in on the Birka warrior -- Wait! what? the famous Birka warrior really is female! -- Warriors, weapons, and women -- The Viking phenomenon and the team's formal response -- Face-to-face with a Birka warrior.