‘Smoking gun evidence’: Bronze Age shaman long thought to be male revealed to be female goldworker

New research presented at London's Francis Crick Institute's We Go Way Back exhibition has revealed that the Bronze Age individual known as the Upton Lovell Shaman, previously assumed to be male, was in fact female. DNA analysis of the 4,000-year-old remains, excavated in 1803, showed XX sex chromosomes. David Dawson, Director of Wiltshire Museum, stated, "It completely tears up previous assumptions" and provides "smoking gun evidence of a female metalworker." The individual, over 45 at death, showed signs of arthritis consistent with lifelong metalworking. The discovery challenges stereotypes about gender roles in early Bronze Age society, highlighting women's significant positions.