Bronze Age ‘shaman,’ previously assumed to be a male metalworker, was actually a woman
Bronze Age Shaman Initially Mistaken for Male Was Actually a Woman
Bronze Age shaman previously assumed to be - A newly discovered Bronze Age shaman, once assumed to be a male metalworker, has been revealed to be a woman through groundbreaking genetic research. This finding challenges previous assumptions about gender roles in ancient British society and highlights how modern science is reshaping our understanding of the past. The Upton Lovell Shaman, whose remains were found in a barrow—a ceremonial burial mound—located in southern England, has now been reclassified based on advanced DNA analysis. Tom Booth, a senior research scientist at the Francis Crick Institute in London, noted that the reassignment of the skeleton’s identity provides fresh insights into the cultural and social dynamics of the Bronze Age.
Artifacts and Misinterpretations
The Upton Lovell Shaman was first identified in the early 1800s, when archaeologists uncovered a collection of artifacts, including axes, a gold necklace, and bone tools, in the burial site. These items, particularly the axes with faint gold traces, were initially interpreted as evidence of the individual’s role as a male metalworker. Booth explained that the placement of such tools alongside the skeleton was seen as a sign of elevated status. “The grave goods are exceptionally diverse and rare, making this burial unique across Britain and Europe,” he emphasized, adding that the artifacts suggest a complex relationship between craftsmanship and ritual.
“They were buried with their tools in a special way because they were considered particularly eminent,” Booth remarked.
However, the lack of DNA testing at the time meant that the skeleton’s sex was determined solely by its physical characteristics, such as its size. This led to the assumption that the individual was male, a belief that persisted for over two centuries. Recent genome sequencing, part of a larger initiative to analyze 1,000 ancient individuals, has now confirmed the skeleton’s female identity. “We’re overturning two centuries of assumptions about this individual,” Booth said, underscoring the importance of integrating genetic evidence with archaeological findings.
Gender Roles and Symbolic Significance
The discovery of the Upton Lovell Shaman as a woman challenges the notion that ancient societies were strictly patriarchal. Booth pointed out that the individual’s postmenopausal age and the gradual shift in bone structure toward male-like characteristics may have contributed to the initial misclassification. “This subverts the idea that females couldn’t be powerful or special on their own,” he stated, suggesting that women in Bronze Age communities could hold significant influence beyond their familial roles. The presence of ritualistic items, such as the gold necklace, also hints at the symbolic value of metalworking, potentially linking it to both economic and spiritual practices.
“Both came back as female as well, so that essentially confirms the skeleton was female,” Booth said.
The Upton Lovell Shaman’s stature—approximately 5 foot 4 inches, similar to the average Bronze Age male—further illustrates why earlier studies might have overlooked her gender. This physical similarity, combined with the age-related changes in bone structure, demonstrates the limitations of relying solely on skeletal morphology for gender determination. The findings prompt a reevaluation of how ancient societies perceived and assigned roles to individuals, regardless of their biological sex.
Cultural Context and Historical Revisions
The Upton Lovell Shaman’s burial in a barrow underscores the importance of ritual in Bronze Age society. Barrows were often sites of communal ceremonies, and the inclusion of such artifacts as axes and gold jewelry suggests that the individual was not just a metalworker but also a spiritual figure. This dual role challenges the traditional view that metalworking was a purely practical skill. Booth highlighted that the reassignment of the skeleton’s identity could reshape how historians interpret similar burials across Europe, emphasizing the need for a more nuanced approach to gender in archaeological studies.
Expanding on the implications, the study’s lead researcher, Pontus Skoglund of the Francis Crick Institute’s Ancient Genomics lab, explained that the broader genome sequencing initiative aims to uncover more about ancient societies. “As we build a public genetic record, it will offer archaeologists and historians a wealth of data to reconstruct ancient cultures,” he told CNN. The Upton Lovell Shaman’s case exemplifies how genetic analysis can correct long-standing biases, revealing stories that were previously hidden by assumptions about sex and status.
The reclassification of the Upton Lovell Shaman as a woman has sparked renewed interest in the study of Bronze Age women. Researchers now speculate that other burials previously attributed to men might also have female occupants, prompting a deeper investigation into the roles of women in prehistoric communities. This shift in perspective not only enriches our understanding of ancient craftsmanship but also highlights the symbolic significance of gender in Bronze Age societies. The Upton Lovell Shaman’s story serves as a reminder of the evolving nature of historical interpretation, where science and tradition converge to uncover the past’s complexities.