Archive · 1 Jul 2025
Study: Ancient Turkish City Run by Women 9,000 Years Ago
Imagine a city from over 9,000 years ago in Turkey called Catalhoyuk.
Scientists studied skeletons from there and found something interesting.
They learned that women likely ran the city!
Most people were buried with family, and when there was a family connection, it was usually through the women.
This means that after marriage, men would move into the women's homes instead of the other way around.
Also, women received more attention in death than men, because they had more things buried with them.
This shows that women were very important and that this city might have been led by women, which is like having a 'Mother Goddess' culture.
A study confirms the ancient city of Catalhoyuk in Turkey was likely matriarchal.
Researchers analyzed DNA from over 130 skeletons buried in the city.
Genetic connections primarily traced through the female line, indicating women remained in their homes after marriage.
Female children often stayed in the same house, while males likely moved away.
Women were buried with more grave goods than men, suggesting higher importance.
- Who
- Researchers studied DNA from skeletons of people who lived in Catalhoyuk.
- What
- A study revealed evidence of a matriarchal society in the ancient city of Catalhoyuk.
- When
- Over 9,000 years ago, around 7100 BC.
- Where
- Catalhoyuk, Turkey.
- Why
- To understand the social structure and gender roles in the ancient city.
- City Name
- Catalhoyuk
- Location
- Turkey
- Time Period
- Around 7100 BC
- Social Structure
- Matriarchal
- Burial Findings
- Female-line family connections
- Grave Goods
- More found with female bodies