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Ancient DNA analysis of medieval Swedish graves found that adults and children buried together, long assumed to be family units, were often not biological relatives, suggesting burial arrangements reflected social rather than purely kinship ties. The research also uncovered early gender-based burial customs and the story of a young woman who may have completed a pilgrimage across Europe. The study adds nuance to historical assumptions about medieval burial practices and family structures, showing how genetic evidence can overturn long-held archaeological interpretations.