Sometime around 4,500 years ago, a matrilineal community lived in what is now Shandong in eastern China. They farmed millet near the coast, raised animals and possibly engaged in fishing.
This was the world’s earliest known matrilineal society and it lasted 250 years, maintaining a stable lineage through at least 10 generations, a Chinese-led team has discovered.
To decipher their family history, the team analysed ancient DNA from 60 individuals dating to between 2750 and 2500 BC. Their findings…
