A groundbreaking discovery has overturned centuries-old assumptions about the identity of the enigmatic Upton Lovell Shaman, whose burial in Wiltshire's Bronze Age village has long been shrouded in mystery. DNA analysis has now confirmed that this revered spiritual leader and metalworker was a woman, forcing a radical rethink on gender roles in prehistoric Britain.
The 4,000-year-old skeleton unearthed in 1801 near Stonehenge in Wiltshire has yielded an extraordinary collection of grave goods, including stone axes, metalworking tools, and ceremonial regalia. These finds had long led archaeologists to believe the occupant was a high-status male figure, possibly a leader or shaman, who wielded significant influence over his community.
David Dawson, director of the Wiltshire Museum, which houses the remains, described the findings as "a smoking gun" that challenges deeply ingrained assumptions about women's roles in ancient society. The grave goods included a decorated pouch made from boar's tusks, fossil sponges transformed into cups, flints, metal-working instruments, and a touchstone used to test metal quality – all testament to the individual's mastery of her craft.
Further analysis revealed that the woman was unusually tall for her era at around 165cm (5ft 4in) and robustly built. Signs of arthritis in her right wrist suggest repeated use of metalworking tools, while faint gold residue on some stones hints at intricate ornament-making skills. The presence of a battle axe made from Cornish greenstone raises questions about its purpose – whether for combat or hunting.
The discovery is being showcased as part of a new exhibition on ancient DNA, opening this Thursday at the Francis Crick Institute in London. This showcase highlights how cutting-edge genetic techniques are shedding new light on the lives and movements of ancient populations. The Upton Lovell skeleton was initially sent for DNA analysis to determine its ancestry, but the revelation of its biological sex came as a significant surprise to researchers.