Sex and Marriage Patterns in an Ancient Empire Revealed by DNA The study of ancient empires and their societies has always been a fascinating subject for historians and archaeologists. What was life like in these ancient civilizations? What were their social structures, norms, and values? Thanks to advancements in DNA analysis, researchers are now able to uncover new information about these past civilizations by studying the genetic material of their inhabitants. One recent study focused on an ancient empire located in the heart of Mesopotamia, modern-day Iraq. By analyzing DNA samples taken from skeletal remains found in burial sites of the empire, researchers were able to shed light on the sex and marriage patterns of this ancient society. The results of the study revealed some intriguing findings. Firstly, the researchers found evidence of polygamy in the ancient empire. Polygamy was a common practice in many ancient societies, and the DNA analysis confirmed that some individuals in this empire had multiple spouses. Interestingly, the study also showed that polygamy was not restricted to wealthy or powerful individuals but was practiced across different social strata. Furthermore, the DNA analysis provided insights into the genetic relationships within families in the ancient empire. By studying the genetic markers present in the remains, researchers were able to identify parent-child relationships, as well as sibling relationships. This information allowed them to reconstruct family trees and understand how kinship ties were organized in this ancient society. Another significant finding from the study was the existence of matrilineal descent in the ancient empire. Matrilineal descent is a social system where descent is traced through the female line. The DNA analysis revealed that individuals shared more genetic markers with their maternal relatives than with their paternal relatives, indicating a matrilineal kinship system in place. Moreover, the study also uncovered evidence of endogamy in the ancient empire. Endogamy is the practice of marrying within a specific group, such as a tribe or social class. The DNA analysis showed that individuals tended to marry within their own social circles, leading to genetic similarities among individuals from the same social group. Overall, the study of sex and marriage patterns in this ancient empire using DNA analysis has provided valuable insights into the social structure and kinship ties of the society. By combining genetic data with archaeological and historical evidence, researchers can continue to unravel the mysteries of ancient civilizations and gain a deeper understanding of the lives of our ancestors.