For a long time, history books have mostly shown us a world where men were in charge societies run by fathers and sons. But what if it wasn’t always like that? What if, thousands of years ago, women were the leaders, guiding their communities and deciding their future?
Now, new discoveries in China, thanks to amazing DNA research, are completely changing how we see ancient societies. Scientists have found proof of a 5,000-year-old society that seems to have been matrilineal. This means that family lines and power came from the women’s side of the family.
In a matrilineal society, women were the main focus. It doesn’t mean men had no part to play, but things like property, social standing, and even family names were passed down from mothers to their daughters. Often, the oldest woman in a family or group had a lot of power. It’s basically the opposite of the male-dominated societies we usually hear about, where the father’s side of the family is most important.
Researchers are still uncovering the full details of this incredible discovery, but the key insights lie within ancient graves. Researchers studied the DNA from human bones found at the fujia archeological site in Shandong province, china and what they saw was remarkable. It showed that related women were buried together, proving strong family lines through the mother’s side. Interestingly, the men buried in these same sites were more varied, suggesting they might have “married into” these clans rather than being born into the main family line.
This DNA evidence, along with other items found with female burials, paints a clear picture: this was a society where women were central and powerful. Imagine a time when grandmothers and mothers were the respected decision-makers for their communities!
This study was originally Published in Nature on July 31, 2025