4,000-Year-Old Female-Centered Society Discovered in the Panoría Necropolis, Spain

Archaeological discoveries in the megalithic necropolis of Panoría, located in Darro in Spain, challenge classical conceptions of European prehistoric societies. A study carried out by researchers from the universities of Granada and Tübingen, published in Scientific Reports, reveals an unprecedented imbalance in the distribution of genders within burials. In fact, women are buried there at twice the rate of men, a ratio that reaches ten to one among young individuals.

These results suggest the existence of a matrilineal society where women played a central role in funeral rites and social relations. The use of advanced techniques such as the analysis of ancient DNA and dental proteins has made it possible to create a precise profile of this population, offering new perspectives on the social organization of the time.

A 5,600-year-old cemetery

The megalithic necropolis of Panoría is located in the Granada region of Spain. It dates back around 5600 years and served as a burial site until 4100 BCE. This archaeological site consists of at least 19 tombs. It was partially excavated between 2015 and 2019. During these excavations, researchers discovered more than 55,000 bone fragments. They provide a unique opportunity to analyze the funerary practices and social structure of the prehistoric populations buried there. This wealth of human remains has allowed researchers to conduct in-depth studies on the rituals and social dynamics of these communities. They were able to understand their demographic organization over a period of 1500 years.

Modern bioarchaeological techniques, such as the analysis of ancient DNA and the protein amelogenin (found in tooth enamel), have played a key role in the study of these human remains. Indeed, the fragmented state of the bones made it difficult to identify the sex of individuals using traditional methods. They often remained imprecise in such conditions.

However, these new approaches have revealed a significant imbalance in the distribution of genders within the cemetery. Women are buried there in far greater numbers than men. The ratio can reach 2 women for 1 man, or even 10 girls for 1 boy among the youngest.

An imbalance between women and men which calls into question

This imbalance between the sexes remains particularly unusual for an ancient human population. Male-female ratios generally remain balanced, with a few exceptions during periods of major crises, such as wars, epidemics or forced migrations. However, in Panoría, the over-representation of women, over a period of several centuries, excludes the hypothesis of an isolated event. This imbalance is even more striking among young people, suggesting a sustained cultural practice rather than a temporary anomaly or response to a crisis.

Burial 11. © M. Díaz-Zorita Bonilla et al., 2024

Researchers believe this phenomenon could reflect a matrilineal social structure. In the latter, heritage and social identity are transmitted through women. In such a system, women played a leading role in society. This resulted in a privileged place in funeral rituals. On the other hand, men were buried less frequently in these community burials.

Indeed, it seems that the latter joined other family groups through exogamy. This is a system where young men leave their original group to join forces with other communities. This pattern, well documented in certain anthropological societies, could explain the relative absence of men in the necropolis. It would reinforce the hypothesis of a social organization centered on women.

Funeral practices and social structure

The study of the tombs of Panoría reveals a distribution of genders which then seems to have followed a systematic pattern, regardless of when the burials took place. This phenomenon transcends the different phases of cemetery use, suggesting a deeply rooted social practice. The disproportionate presence of women in burials goes hand in hand with evidence of how funeral rites were performed. The bodies were often placed in a bent position. They bear witness to a funeral ritual common in the prehistoric societies of the Iberian Peninsula. This particular posture, found repeatedly, could have symbolized a spiritual or religious dimension specific to this culture.

Remains of human bones from Tomb 10. © M. Díaz-Zorita Bonilla et al., 2024

For archaeologists, female burials would then have had a symbolic function. They can mark rites of passage, reserved for women, or specific spiritual practices. In this probable matriarchal organization, women actually exercised significant influence. Not only in the family sphere, but also at the heart of religious rites. Their status in these ceremonies could reflect spiritual and social power.

A new window on prehistoric societies and the role of women

This discovery challenges well-established hypotheses about the prehistoric societies of the Iberian Peninsula and Europe. Previous studies of European megalithic sites generally reveal male dominance in tombs. A typical reflection of patriarchal societies where power and authority are mainly associated with men. On the other hand, the data from the Panoría necropolis offer a striking counter-example.

The over-representation of women in burials, maintained over more than a thousand years, testifies to a different social organization, centered on women, a rare structure in archaeological studies of this period. This discovery opens up a new perspective on the diversity of social structures in prehistoric societies. At this time, certain communities granted women a fundamental role in social, cultural and ritual life.

One of the major challenges of future research will be to determine the exact nature of this social organization. Genetic analysis of buried individuals could provide crucial answers by examining the relationships between the deceased. If matrilineal transmission is confirmed, this would reinforce the hypothesis according to which maternal lines constituted the heart of the social structure of this community. This would radically change our understanding of the family and social dynamics of prehistoric Iberian cultures. Such conclusions would be decisive in recontextualizing gender roles in this region. They will also make it possible to reassess the systems of transmission of power and inheritance within European megalithic societies as a whole.

Source: Marta, DZ.B., Gonzalo, AJ, Margarita, SR et al. “Female sex bias in Iberian megalithic societies through bioarchaeology, aDNA and proteomics”. SciRep 1421818 (2024).