Research: In the Iron Age, men lived as in-laws

//

Lerato Khumalo

Dr. from Trinity College Dublin The research team led by Lara Cassidy revealed that the practice of “matrilocality” (women staying in the settlement and men moving out) was common in settlements during this period.

Dr. “There is a common habit in the past that women were limited to domestic roles only,” Cassidy said. “However, this study shows how great the impact and power of women in society is,” he said.

The research is based on genome analysis from Dorset burial sites belonging to the Durotriges tribe, who lived on the south coast of Britain between about 100 BC and AD 100.

It was determined that women, especially women, were buried with valuable belongings in these grave sites.

“It’s a finding that suggests high status for women,” Cassidy said, emphasizing that genetic data adds depth to such analyses.

GENETIC FINDINGS: WOMEN STAY, MEN MOVE

In the study, it was determined that most of the individuals examined came from the same maternal lineage and their mitochondrial DNA (genetic material passed only from the mother) was similar.

In contrast, a large diversity was found among the Y chromosomes of men. This shows that men came from different communities and joined women’s families.

The research team found similar findings at other Iron Age burial sites in Britain and said the practice of matrilocality may have spread across the island during this period.

THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC POWER OF WOMEN

Cassidy stated that matrilocality is a strong indicator of women’s social and political empowerment and said, “When women stay in the settlement, their chances of inheriting land, playing an active role in the local economy and being influential in society increase.”

The research supports claims that British women were powerful figures, also appearing in Roman period writings.

Dr. from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology. Guido Alberto Gnecchi Ruscone stated that the study confirms Roman records reflecting the strength and independence of Celtic women such as Boudicca.

These new findings shed important light on re-understanding the influence of women and the structure of society in the Celtic societies of Britain.