The excavation of a late Iron Age Durotriges burial at Winterborne Kingston, Dorset. Land was inherited through the female line in Iron Age Britain, and a husband moved to live with the community of his wife. Remarkable evidence that women in British Iron Age society were empowered politically and socially has been unveiled in an international genetic study led by researchers at Trinity College Dublin. They sifted through data from prior genetic surveys of Iron Age Britain and, though sample numbers from other cemeteries were smaller, saw the same pattern emerge repeatedly. Excavation director Dr Miles Russell said beyond archaeology knowledge of Iron Age Britain has come mainly from Greek and Roman writers, who were not always trustworthy.

Source: The Irish Times January 16, 2025 16:34 UTC