Evidence of Millennia-Old Female Leadership in an Ancient City

A recent study suggests that an ancient city, over 9,000 years old, might have functioned under female leadership in what could be described as a matriarchal society.

Research findings published in Science highlight work conducted on more than 130 ancient genomes sourced from 35 homes at Çatalhöyük, a well-maintained Neolithic settlement in what is now southern Turkey. The site, famous for its historical remnants of a potential 'Mother Goddess' culture, revealed approximately 395 skeletons of varying genders in grave pits beneath the brick houses of the city. This settlement, inhabited from about 9000 to 8000 BCE, showcases signs of a female-centric social structure.

A multidisciplinary team of geneticists, archaeologists, and anthropologists utilized advanced DNA technology over a 12-year period to uncover that maternal lines played a fundamental role within households, as indicated by the burial patterns within each domicile.

Initially, it was common for family members to be interred together, but practices shifted over time. The researchers noticed that many individuals had no direct blood ties to those they were buried alongside. However, when family connections were identified, they traced back to the maternal lineage, suggesting post-marital relocation of husbands to the wife's residence.

Genetic sequencing inferred that female descendants retained a connection to their homes in 70 to 100% of cases, while adult male descendants often moved away. Findings highlighted considerable gender-based differences in burial rites, with females receiving significantly more grave goods.

"We must dispel the Western notion that presumes patrilineal structures are universal. Some cultures, such as specific Indigenous Australian groups, inherit identity, land, and duties via a matrilineal system," explained Dr. Eline Schotsmans, a co-author from the University of Wollongong.

The study echoes earlier research on pre-Roman Celtic communities in Britain, where women exhibited close familial ties, while men migrated from external locations post-marriage. Investigations in a late Iron Age burial site in Dorset, England, supported these insights with evidence indicating a predominant maternal lineage.

These studies collectively imply that maternal ancestry may have been a pivotal element in the formation of group identities in certain ancient societies.