CRBC News
Politics
Conflict
Security
Economy
Science
Technology
Environment
Health
Culture
Society
Lifestyle
Culture

Shimao Skull Pit Reveals Mostly Male Sacrifices — DNA Points to Gendered Rituals at 4,000-Year-Old City

01:26 PM, 12/05/2025
Shimao Skull Pit Reveals Mostly Male Sacrifices — DNA Points to Gendered Rituals at 4,000-Year-Old City

DNA from a skull pit beneath Shimao's East Gate shows about 90% of the roughly 80 decapitation victims were male. This contrasts with female-dominated sacrificial burials found at elite tombs nearby. The study, published in Nature, finds the victims shared ancestry with local elites, suggesting gendered ritual roles—possibly construction or foundation rites for the gate versus ancestor veneration in cemeteries.

Male-Dominated Skull Pit Found at Ancient Shimao

Archaeologists working at the Neolithic stone-walled city of Shimao in Shaanxi Province have uncovered a pit containing roughly 80 human skulls. New DNA analysis, published Nov. 26 in Nature, indicates that about nine out of 10 of those decapitation victims were male — a surprising result that suggests distinct, gender-specific ritual practices within the same society.

Site Context

First identified in 2018, Shimao was occupied circa 2300–1800 B.C. and covered approximately 1.5 square miles (4 km²). The settlement features a large stepped pyramid, specialized craft areas and two cemeteries, reflecting social complexity and elite activity.

Two Different Sacrificial Traditions

Excavations at Shimao revealed two clear forms of human sacrifice:

  • Decapitated heads placed in so-called "skull pits" near the city gate (notably beneath the Dongmen, or East Gate) — the assemblage studied here included ~80 skulls.
  • Burial-associated sacrifices, typically involving lower-status individuals (most often female) interred with or beneath high-status tombs.
"In contrast to previous archaeological reports that identified these sacrifices as female-based, the DNA results showed no evidence of female bias, with 9 out of 10 victims being men."

Genetic Findings and Interpretation

Researchers extracted ancient DNA from skulls buried beneath the Dongmen foundation to determine biological sex and ancestry. The genetic results show a strong male bias in the skull pit (roughly 90% male) and indicate the victims shared ancestry with Shimao's elite tomb occupants — suggesting they were not outsiders or captives from a distant population.

The contrast between male-dominated decapitation deposits at the gate and predominantly female sacrificial burials in cemetery contexts implies that rituals at Shimao were highly structured and gender-specific. The authors propose possible interpretations: cemetery-based female sacrifices may reflect forms of ancestor veneration tied to elite burials, while the male skull pit may relate to construction, foundation, or protective rites associated with the city walls or gate.

Why This Matters

This study combines archaeological context with ancient DNA to show how ritual practice, gender and social status intersected in a single Neolithic urban center. It demonstrates that sacrificial customs could vary sharply by location and purpose within the same society, and it underscores the value of genetic data for testing and refining interpretations of past behaviors.

Similar Articles

Trending