Ancient DNA Shows Family Connections Across Neolithic Tombs in Scotland

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:10:00 +0200

A recent study of Neolithic tombs in northern Scotland has unveiled intricate family connections among early farming communities. Led by Vicki Cummings of Cardiff University and published in Antiquity, the research analyzed DNA from 22 individuals buried in five chambered tombs across Caithness and Orkney, dating from 3800 to 3200 BC. The findings reveal multiple father-son and brother relationships within single tombs, and even across tombs just a few hundred meters apart. In some cases, women buried in Orkney were genetically closer to men in Caithness, suggesting that certain individuals played roles in maintaining links between distant communities. The study also observed that some tombs were used for centuries, showing evidence of Bronze Age ancestry and cultural continuity. Tomb architecture, including stalled cairns, was consistent across the regions, signaling deliberate expressions of shared heritage, though regional differences in spacing and layout emerged over time. This re