Unexpected insights into family life: researchers have discovered whether the Celts were matriarchal societies.

An innovative genetic study of Iron Age burials has revealed that around 2,000 years ago, a unique social structure existed within Celtic communities in England. Researchers traced the ancestry of the ancient population back to a single woman, uncovering a matrilineal system in which men entered the group through marriage, reports Live Science.

"This is the first documented example of such a system in European prehistory," explained Lara Cassidy, a geneticist from Trinity College Dublin and the lead author of the study. Cassidy's research focused on the Durotriges, a Celtic tribe that inhabited the southwestern coast of England between 100 BC and 100 AD.

The team analyzed the genomes of 57 individuals buried in Dorset cemeteries and found that 85% of them were biologically related. Notably, more than two-thirds possessed a rare mitochondrial DNA lineage, U5b1, indicating a common maternal ancestry, while the diversity of Y chromosomes pointed to different paternal origins. This genetic composition suggests that men married within the community, highlighting the significance of maternal lineage in social organization.

According to Cassidy, haplogroup U5b1 has deep roots in Europe and Britain, although its modern presence is limited. Further genetic analysis revealed a family tree tracing back to a single founding woman and her four daughters, spanning several generations over two centuries. Patterns in the data also suggest that the Celts meticulously tracked genealogy to manage marriage arrangements within kin groups.

The study also examined genetic data from over 150 European archaeological sites. It was discovered that Iron Age British communities were uniquely organized along maternal lines.

While such an emphasis on maternal lineage was rare in Europe, the cemeteries of the Durotriges provided clear evidence of this structure. Women in these communities appeared to play a significant role, aligning with Roman descriptions of Celtic society.

Bioarchaeologist Tom Booth expressed caution in interpreting these findings. "We cannot assume that concepts like marriage existed in the same form they do today," the scholar noted. However, he praised the study for its detailed exploration of maternal relationships, stating that it offers a rare glimpse into the lives of ancient Britons without the influence of Roman narratives.

Additionally, we reported on the "rhino" beneath the road. Archaeologists discovered a 1,500-year-old Roman-era stone coffin weighing 750 kilograms.