Prehistoric matriarchy in Turkey revealed by DNA analysis – DW – 07/23/2025
As far back as the 1960s, archaeologists had a feeling that Catalhoyuk was something special. And not just because the Neolithic settlement was one of the oldest continually inhabited places in the world.
Researchers believed that women had an elevated societal position in Catalhoyuk, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site in contemporary Turkey.
But that hunch was only based on figurines they had found and believed to represent Anatolian mother goddesses.
Only with the methods of modern archaeology were researchers able to turn their feelings into fact: Society in the Catalhoyuk of 9,000 years ago was centered around women. An international research team led by geneticists from the Middle East Technical University in Ankara published their findings in the journal Science.
The researchers came to their conclusion after examining 131 skeletons they had discovered buried right under houses the people of Catalhoyuk had inhabited.
DNA analysis showed that people buried under the same house were often related — on their mother's side. In other words, when a man and a woman entered a partnership in the Neolithic settlement, they moved in with the family of the woman, not that of the man. Households were formed on a matrilineal basis.
And there was another indication that women had a higher status than men: Archaeologists found as many as five times the grave goods buried with female bodies than with male ones.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
In the more recent past, patrilineal households, where women move in with their male partner's family after marriage, were more common — and formed a patriarchy. So, does the reverse mean that the residents of Catalhoyuk, who lived from about 7100 to 6000 BCE, lived in a matriarchy?
Not necessarily, said prehistoric archaeologist Eva Rosenstock, who took part in the excavation in Catalhoyuk and researches scientific and cultural archaeology.
"Whether a society is matrilocal or patrilocal generally doesn't tell you anything about who has the power," Rosenstock told DW. "But those things often go hand in hand."
Digging up, if you will, usable DNA for genetical analysis was not an easy feat for the researchers.
Catalhoyuk was located in a region with continental climate, with strong fluctuations between winter and summer. Under these conditions, even teeth, which were known until recently as one of the best source of DNA, do not keep forever.
But there is a tiny part of the human body that has turned out to be the perfect source of DNA in adverse conditions such as those in the Catalhoyuk region: the petrous part of the temporal bone, located in the inner ear.
"It's like a DNA safe!" Rosenstock said.
It was through analyzing the material in this "DNA safe" that researchers discovered the matrilineal relationship between people buried under the same house.
But not all people buried under the same house were related. The archaeologists assume that it wasn't out of the ordinary in Catalhoyuk society to switch children, so that your child would grow up in a different family close by. This was probably done in an effort to guarantee equal distribution of resources and, according to experts, points to society valuing the idea of equal rights for all.
"If your own child grows up three doors down, you're probably not going to advocate for just your household to get the best of everything," said Rosenstock.
But how did a society valuing equality and centered on women turn into the patriarchy that has dominated Central Europe in the more recent past? Rosenstock doesn't have an answer — at least not yet: "That's the next exciting question."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
DW
8 hours ago
- DW
Hazardous 'forever chemicals' in period products – DW – 07/26/2025
Period underwear and menstrual cups are touted as an environmentally-friendly alternative to pads and tampons. Now a team of researchers has discovered that they can contain risky "forever chemicals," or PFAS. The name sounds almost poetic: forever chemicals. But these are perfluoralkyl or polyfluoralkyl substances (PFAS), which get their name from the fact that they practically never decompose — and stay in our environment forever. They also have serious consequences for humans. Some PFAS are carcinogenic, others have an effect on the immune system or reduce the effectiveness of vaccinations. "PFAS can affect fertility, sperm quality or even the development of the child in the womb," toxicologist Marike Kolossa-Gehring told the German TV show . Forever chemicals have also been linked to thyroid disorders and high blood pressure. Now a research team in the US has found that these chemicals can be found in reusable period products. Almost a third of the period underwear, menstrual cups, and reusable pads tested by the scientists were made using thSee toxic chemicals. The team, led by Alyssa Wicks and Graham Peaslee at the US University of Notre Dame, tested 59 reusable period products from North America, South America and Europe. The researchers found low levels in some products, which were most likely packaging residues. But in some products, the levels were so high that PFAS must have been used in the manufacturing process — even though they would work just as well without the toxic chemicals. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video "We found PFAS in some, but not all of the products," Peaslee, a physicist and professor emeritus at Notre Dame University, told DW. "So it's not necessary. Some don't have PFAS, and they sell fine." The chemicals can cause harm to humans in two ways. The direct route is absorption through the skin of the wearer. "The skin absorbs between 1% and 50% of PFAS in the product," said Peaslee. "Even if only 1% or 2% are absorbed, that's still bad." The indirect route endangers not only the individual using the item, but everyone else, too. When the products are disposed of, the chemicals end up in our water cycle, where, as their name suggests, they do not decompose. People the wind up absorbing PFAS via their drinking water or food that has been irrigated with contaminated groundwater. "These products are sold as eco-friendly, because they produce less waste than single-use products," says Peaslee. "But this chemical class is particularly terrifying, because they're everywhere and don't go away." PFAS are widespread. They are water and dirt repellent, as well as resistant to pressure and heat. This makes them attractive for companies like clothing and packaging manufacturers. Forever chemicals can be found in water-repellent jackets or shoes, in tents and in food packaging. PFAS are even used in cosmetics to alter the consistency of the product, or as a colorant, for example. With the study, Wicks, Peaslee and their team want to raise awareness of the dangers of PFAS in menstrual products, both among companies and consumers. They do not mention brand names in their published report. "We didn't want to be sued," said Peaslee, adding that could easily happen in the US. The researcher said that it would be more cost-effective for producers to omit PFAS from their products, as these materials are expensive. However, at the end of the day, he expects any industry move away from PFAS will primarily be driven by consumers. "Consumers have a lot of market power," says Peaslee. "Consumers should ask [whether products are manufactured without PFAS] and be vocal about their choices. If there's demand, companies will start to test for [the chemicals] and say when their products don't contain PFAS. And companies won't lie, because they don't want to get sued, either."
DW
a day ago
- DW
Late-life depression: Learn to spot the signs early – DW – 07/25/2025
Depression goes undiagnosed when symptoms are mistaken for age-related physical illnesses. We need to treat mental health issues earlier in life. It is perhaps the last place you would expect to find a generational divide, but even in mental health, we (those of us of a certain age) are told, "We (those of us of a younger age) are more aware of mental health than you" — as if awareness alone could remedy depression. There is actually some truth to this. "There are shifts in younger generations and also in older generations. But unfortunately mental health is still very stigmatized for older adults," said Pascal Schlechter at the Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Germany. "It's quite a big step [for some people] to admit, 'I have a mental health problem and I want to talk about it.'" But it's not only older patients who lack awareness or a willingness to talk about depression. It can also be their doctors, who may misdiagnose a mental health problem as a physical one, common when you grow old. "If a 30-year-old tells you they've stopped going out and are withdrawing [from social interaction], you would ask them, 'Is anything wrong with your mental health? Are you depressed?'," said Schlechter. "But with an older person, you might say, 'You're fatigued. It's just part of the normal aging process. Just rest.'" To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The generational divide closes when we talk about symptoms of depression — there is little to no difference in depression between younger and older adults. While at Cambridge University in the UK, Schlechter co-published a paper on the development of depressive symptoms in older adults, based on the results from a longitudinal study that tracked the progress of more than 11,000 people over a period of 16 years. Schlechter and colleagues found the same symptoms in older adults as in younger adults: Patients expressed they , or that , they , had , or felt . However, they noted: "In older adults, depression often presents with more somatic symptoms than in younger populations." When we spoke in July 2025, Schlechter added: "Medical or somatic symptoms may be part of a depression, but [older adults] often misattribute these symptoms to their aging process. This can lead to delayed recognition, [and as a result] their depression may manifest more chronically." So, there is that difference: Whether it's due to a lack of awareness among patients and physicians, or stigma, depression can be worse for older people. That may be because the depression is combined with — or, in part, "triggered" by — a somatic (physical) illness, or symptoms of depression were left unaddressed earlier in life — perhaps also due to a lack of awareness or stigma. As with most illnesses the earlier depression or anxiety are diagnosed, the better the chances of treating them. Some social factors also contribute to depression. As we enter late life, we are often forced to adjust to changes in our social status, our identity through work or elsewhere in a community, and people start dying around us. We may even experience abuse from our carers, as highlighted information from the World Health Organization on depression — another, potential contributing factor. All these things can bring what may have been a mild, latent depression to the fore in a chronic and severe way. There is a sense when talking to experts in the field that physicians may prefer to tackle physical ailments in older adults than mental ones. No matter what age a person is, depression is difficult to treat. But when older adults present with both physical and mental health problems, it is even harder. "In both poorer and richer health systems in Europe, one of the main instruments we have to deal with depression is medication," said Albino Oliveira-Maia, who heads the Neuropsychiatry Unit at the Champalimaud Foundation in Lisbon, Portugal. "When treating older adults [with] medication, [there is a] higher likelihood for interaction with other medication and for toxicities [to occur]," Oliveira-Maia told DW. "That might mean physicians pay more attention to physical health problems than mental health." But medication is not the only treatment for depression — there are also a range of psychotherapy options, or so-called talk therapies, including cognitive behavioral therapy, and many others, specific to a patient's situation. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video One aspect of depression we have not touch on yet is suicide. Suicide affects all groups of people, young and old, male and female. But regulation often prevents people from participating in research if they are known to have suicidal thoughts or show suicidal behavior. And that means there is a lack of understanding and knowledge among researchers. "This is obviously an ethical concern," said Oliveira-Maia. "It's an act of generosity to participate in a research program, so we need to protect the people. But in doing that, there are sometimes consequences that lead to slower progress for some of the patients that are most in need." People over 65 years can also be excluded from trials if they have existing medical conditions, such as vascular lesions in the brain, said Oliveira-Maia. Scientifically, this makes sense, even if only from a cold, unemotional perspective: If people die or their illnesses worsen during a trial, it can make it impossible for other teams to verify the results — which is a standard process and safety net in research, especially in the development of new medication. Both Schlechter and Oliveira-Maia have reservations about awareness campaigns, and specifically about self-diagnosis, which can go either way — a younger person may be more inclined to say, "Yes, I have a mental health problem" even if they don't, and an older person may deny all the signs. "For younger generations, there is more public awareness due to social media. And there are good campaigns that provide valid information," said Schlechter. "But there's also a lot of misinformation out there." Oliveira-Maia, meanwhile, is concerned about people misdiagnosing themselves, whether they are young or old. "While [they are] valuable, there is also some data to suggest that the awareness campaigns can in themselves lead to misclassification in that some people that are healthy can value their normal symptoms of sadness and anxiety as a mental health problem." The solution, as always with any illness or symptom that concerns you, is to speak to a health professional you can trust.
DW
3 days ago
- DW
Tattoo tech may help detect drink spiking – DW – 07/23/2025
A new material science development could provide an effective way to detect party drugs used to commit sexual assault. A temporary "tattoo" could provide partygoers looking for a safe night out with a secret indicator to detect drugs often used to spike drinks in public bars and clubs. Rohypnol — also called a "roofie" — and GHB, sometimes called "liquid ecstasy" or "fantasy," are club drugs used, often by young people, in bars and nightclubs, raves and other nightlife settings. It is an illegal drug in many places, including the United States, UK and Australia. While certain doses of these club drugs can produce a feeling of relaxation or euphoria, excessive doses can lead to symptoms of drowsiness, slurring of speech, loss of motor function, confusion and memory impairment. Overdose and toxicity are also possible. Drug regulators have also identified both drugs as the toxins of choice for offenders seeking to spike drinks, render their victims unconscious or close to that, and then sexually assault them. Because these are short-lived, tasteless and colorless drugs, it's especially difficult for those wanting to have a safe night out to know if their drink has been spiked. However, a new report published in the American Chemical Society in its journal has described an innovation from a South Korean research group that could make drug identification practically seamless. There are already products that allow people to identify whether a drink has been spiked. These appear as strips that can be dipped into a drink, with a color change indicating the presence of an unwanted chemical. However, such a technique can take minutes and could leave a person vulnerable to other social dangers with such an obvious testing method. The new rapid test developed by materials scientists funded by the South Korean government could offer an alternative. Looking like a tattoo, but in actuality a removable sticker, the new product could provide an opportunity to quickly and subtly identify the presence of GHB. Embedded in the silicone sticker film is a solution containing an iodide indicator called BHEI. When exposed to a solution containing GHB, the indicator changes from yellow to red. According to reported results, stickers changed color almost instantaneously when exposed to drops of GHB in whisky, vodka, beer or coffee. For those wearing the sticker, they would only need to expose their marker to a single droplet of their drink for the change to take place. It was sensitive enough to detect 0.01 milligrams of GHB per milliliter. "This innovation represents a proactive and accessible solution for preventing drug-facilitated sexual assault, enhancing personal safety, and fostering a sense of control and awareness in high-risk environments," the authors wrote in the study. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video It's not the first time that sensors have been developed to detect date rape drugs. More than a decade ago, a group from the National University of Singapore developed a fluorescent sensor platform that could be formed into drink stirrers and straws to indicate drinks spiked with GHB. A US startup had previously invented a quick test platform that tested for several drugs using a testing disc. But rapid testing products will likely need to be developed further before going to market. Kabrena Rodda, a forensic toxicologist at the Pacific Northwest Laboratory in the US, said some spot tests can be unreliable. "Unfortunately, spot detection methods such as these can often have high false positive rates — that is, telling you it detected the drug when it actually is not there," Rodda, who was not involved in the new study, told DW in an email. "This can lead people to avoid drinks that may be safe, which may in turn lead to an inaccurate belief that GHB is being spiked in people's drinks." However, Rodda said the sticker test developed by the Korean researchers was "praiseworthy and important." A venture company has now been established to try and bring the product to market in South Korea. But customization and adaptability to other target drugs is currently limited. "Since a custom mold must be made and filled with agarose gel containing the GHB chemical receptor, there may be limitations in freely designing shapes like real tattoos," Gyeong-Ji Kim, the study's lead author based at Sungkyunkwan University in South Korea, told DW. "Customization is possible to some extent, but it is technically constrained. "We have not yet developed chemical receptors for detecting other drugs. However, if receptors for substances such as opioids or synthetic cannabinoids are developed in the future, we believe they can be integrated into our tattoo sticker platform."
