DNA evidence from 2,000 years ago shows that women in Celtic society typically remained in their ancestral communities after marriage, while men were more likely to move away. View on euronews

Researchers have uncovered genetic evidence suggesting that ancient Celtic societies in Iron Age Britain were matrilineal and matrilocal, with women holding status and influence.

Some scholars have suggested that the Romans exaggerated the liberties of women on the British Isles to imply that this was a more uncivilized society. However, this genetic and skeletal evidence implies that women were likely influential and could have been shaping group identity through matrilineal lines.

Scientists analysing 2,000-year-old DNA have revealed that a Celtic society in the southern UK during the Iron Age was centred around women, backing up accounts from Roman historians, a study said Wednesday.

Real authority behind most decision-making rested with female leaders such as Boudica, say academics

An international team of geneticists, led by researchers from Trinity College in collaboration with archaeologists from Bournemouth University, has uncovered secrets of the social structure of Iron Age Britain.

Scientists analyzing 2,000-year-old DNA have revealed that a Celtic society in the southern U.K. during the Iron Age was centered around women, a study said.

To compare what was found at Dorset to the rest of Britain, Cassidy and her fellow geneticists at Trinity sifted through the DNA database of dozens of other Iron Age archaeological sites, scattered across the island.