世界首次！我国科学家确证存在史前母系社会组织

Core Insights - Chinese scientists have confirmed the existence of a matrilineal social structure dating back 4,750 years at the Fujia site in Shandong, marking the first molecular genetic evidence of prehistoric matrilineal societies globally [1][2] - This discovery challenges previous beliefs that matrilineal societies could only be traced back to the Iron Age in Europe, providing direct evidence supporting theories by Morgan and Engels regarding matrilineal societies [1] Group 1 - The research was conducted by the Shandong Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology in collaboration with Peking University, with findings published in the journal Nature [1] - The Fujia site, belonging to the late Dawenkou culture, features two independent burial groups discovered in northern and southern areas [1] Group 2 - Genetic analysis indicates a significant correlation between burial zones and maternal genetic traits, revealing multiple sets of first to third-degree kinship within the burial site [2] - The presence of a secondary kinship relationship across burial sites provides direct genetic evidence for the "maternal burial" customs, as mitochondrial DNA is inherited solely from the mother [2] Group 3 - The study identified a dense network of fourth to sixth-degree kinship between the two burial populations, suggesting long-term intermarriage and coexistence, with strict adherence to matrilineal burial practices for at least 250 years [2] - The research team utilized high-resolution ancient DNA kinship identification techniques to confirm the existence of prehistoric matrilineal social organizations, revealing key information about the organizational characteristics, population size, subsistence patterns, and productivity levels of matrilineal clans in the lower Yellow River coastal region during the Neolithic era [2]