DNA reveals a society organised around women in pre-Roman Britain
Descent passed from mother to daughter rather than from father to son, a study of more than 500 Iron Age individuals from north-east England suggests
A groundbreaking study of DNA from over 500 individuals buried in the northeast of England between the fourth and second centuries BC reveals a society organized around women. These ancient Britons had large clans with descent tracing down the female line for up to nine generations, despite often having absent fathers at burial sites.
Some women had multiple male partners, and there were repeated unions between two maternal clans. This revolutionary finding, described as "totally changing the way we think about the Iron Age," suggests a more equitable society than previously thought and indicates that some powerful women played key roles.
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