Catalhoyuk: 9,000-year-old city ruled by women, DNA reveals story of matriarchal civilization
Times of India - ScienceMonday, June 30, 2025 at 5:36:44 AM
DNA evidence from the ancient city of Çatalhöyük—one of the world’s earliest urban centers—suggests women held the reins of power 9,000 years ago. Genetic analysis of skeletons reveals a matriarchal society where family ties were traced through mothers, women stayed in their birth homes, and men moved in after marriage. The graves of women were also packed with more artifacts, hinting at higher social status. This flips the script on assumptions about early human societies being male-dominated.
Editor’s Note: We often picture ancient civilizations as patriarchal, but Çatalhöyük’s story challenges that. If women were leaders here, it reshapes how we think about power, family, and culture in early human settlements. It’s a reminder that gender roles weren’t always what we assume—and that history might be full of surprises.
— Curated via WP Now’s
