Female biased adult sex ratio in the Bronze Age cemetery of Shahr‐i Sokhta (Iran) as an indicator of long distance trade and matrilocality

A female-biased adult sex ratio (SR) of 70.5 at the Bronze Age cemetery of Shahr-i Sokhta, Iran, suggests a matrilocal society where women lived with their natal families post-marriage. This finding contrasts sharply with broader regional and chronological comparisons, where SR typically favors males (mean range: 112.7–163.1). The study integrated taphonomic, anthropological, archaeological, and ancient DNA data to test this hypothesis. Archaeological evidence indicates women held high social status and that long-distance trade was a key economic activity, while X-chromosome heterozygosity levels further support matrilocality. These indicators collectively imply that Shahr-i Sokhta’s society was organized around matrilineal descent and sustained by extensive trade networks.

Vincenti, G., Molinaro, L., Sajjadi, S. M. S., Moradi, H., Pagani, L., & Fabbri, P. F. (2024). Female biased adult sex ratio in the Bronze Age cemetery of Shahr‐i Sokhta (Iran) as an indicator of long distance trade and matrilocality. American Journal of Biological Anthropology, 183(4). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.24911