science
DNA Analysis Shows 4,000-Year-Old Upton Lovell Skeleton Was Female
Genetic testing at the Francis Crick Institute has established that the Bronze Age individual buried with axes and gold items in southern England was a woman. The results overturn prior assumptions based on bone size and grave goods.
Jul 17, 5:27 AM·1m read1 source
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Cnn reported that DNA analysis has determined a 4,000-year-old skeleton found in Upton Lovell, southern England, belonged to a woman. The remains, previously identified as male and known as the Upton Lovell Shaman, were uncovered at the beginning of the 19th century in a barrow burial mound.
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute conducted the testing as part of a project sequencing the genomes of around 1,000 ancient individuals.
Two additional samples from the skeleton both returned female results, confirming the initial finding. Grave goods recovered with the skeleton included axes that showed traces of gold on their edges, a gold necklace and bone points. Tom Booth, senior research scientist at the institute, said the number and variety of items made the burial unique in Britain and Europe.
Booth stated the woman was probably a metalworker with special status in her community. She stood approximately 5 foot 4 inches tall and died at around 45 years of age while postmenopausal. The exhibition “We Go Way Back” opened Thursday at the Francis Crick Institute and features the findings.
Pontus Skoglund, who leads the Ancient Genomics laboratory there, said the project will produce a publicly available ancient genetic record to help researchers understand past societies.
