A team of researchers found evidence of a matrilineal society in the Late Iron Age in Dorset, England. Analysis of 50 ancient genomes from a single cemetery revealed that the female lineage was dominant, indicating that women held significant power and influence within the community. This discovery challenges traditional understandings of social structures in early Europe.
This Iron Age Society Had a Strong Female-Line Descent — A First for Early Europe Jan 15, 2025 6:00 PM
“This was the cemetery of a large kin group," said Lara Cassidy, assistant professor in Trinity’s Department of Genetics and lead author of the study, in a “Across Britain, we saw cemeteries where most individuals were maternally descended from a small set of female ancestors,” said Dan Bradley, professor of population genetics in Trinity’s Department of Genetics, in a press release. “In Yorkshire, for example, one dominant matriline had been established before 400 B.C. To our surprise, this was a widespread phenomenon with deep roots on the island.”
It’s possible that this view of these ancient societies would not be such a surprise had it not been for the influence of Rome during the conquest. According to the study, the Romans found these matriarchal societies rather remarkable but may have written a skewed view of them to make the society seem less civilized.
History MATRILINEAL SOCIETY IRON AGE EUROPE ANCIENT GENOMES SOCIAL STRUCTURE
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British Iron Age burial grounds reveal women had powerLaura is a science news writer, covering a wide variety of subjects, but she is particularly fascinated by all things aquatic, paleontology, nanotechnology, and exploring how science influences daily life. Laura is a proud former resident of the New Jersey shore, a competitive swimmer, and a fierce defender of the Oxford comma.
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DNA Evidence Reveals Matrilineal Society in Iron Age BritainA new study challenges the traditional view of Iron Age Britain as a male-dominated society, revealing evidence of a matrilineal system where descent and inheritance were traced through the mother's line. This discovery, based on the analysis of ancient DNA from over 50 individuals, suggests significant female social and political empowerment during this period.
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