Archive · 29 Jun 2025
Ancient Turkish City Ruled by Women, Study Confirms
Imagine a city in Turkey, 9,000 years ago, where women were in charge!
Scientists studied old bones from a place called Catalhoyuk and found that families were usually related through the women.
Daughters often stayed in their family homes, while sons might have moved.
The women also got more special gifts when they died.
This is different from what we see in some other old cities, where men were more central.
It shows that women played a very important role in this ancient society.
A study confirms that an ancient Turkish city, Catalhoyuk, was ruled by women in a matriarchal society.
Researchers analyzed DNA from over 130 skeletons, discovering female offspring often stayed connected to buildings.
Male offspring may have moved away, suggesting a matrilineal social structure where husbands relocated.
Females received significantly more grave goods than males, indicating preferential treatment.
The findings challenge previously observed male-centered practices in later European cities.
- Who
- Researchers studying the DNA of skeletons from Catalhoyuk.
- What
- A study confirming that the ancient Turkish city of Catalhoyuk was a matriarchal society.
- When
- Around 9,000 years ago, in the Stone Age, approximately 7100 BC.
- Where
- Catalhoyuk, an ancient city in Turkey.
- Why
- To understand the social organization and family structures of the ancient city of Catalhoyuk.
- City
- Catalhoyuk
- Location
- Turkey
- Time Period
- 9,000 years ago (Stone Age)
- Social Structure
- Matriarchal
- Study Focus
- DNA analysis of skeletons
- Significance
- Oldest genetically-inferred social organization in food-producing societies