Biological distance analysis in Early Medieval Wales: An exploration of kinship and mobility c.400–1100 AD

Butler, Ciara 2023. Biological distance analysis in Early Medieval Wales: An exploration of kinship and mobility c.400–1100 AD. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

The early medieval period was one of great socio-political change in Wales and was formative in the development of its language and identity. Changes in power structures, settlements patterns, and mortuary practice occurred throughout the period 400-1100 AD. This project investigates the evidence for kinship and mobility through inter- and intra- cemetery biological distance analysis of eight skeletal assemblages from Wales dating to the early medieval period. This method of analysis has never been performed on Welsh skeletal material and has great potential to inform on aspects of social and cemetery organisation about which little is currently known. Intra-cemetery biological distance analysis conducted in four case study sites revealed complex patterns of biological affinity and its influence on burial practice which varied regionally and chronologically. In sites which showed evidence for kin-structured burial, this was not in the form of small family plots but rather wider kin groups and lineages prioritising areas of burial or variant mortuary rites. Post-marital residence analysis of these sites also revealed regional and chronological variation in patterns of sex-based mobility, suggesting residence practices and gender relations in early medieval Wales are more complex than previously understood. Inter-cemetery analysis showed genetic similarities between sites in the southeast of Wales sampled for this research, while sites on Anglesey appear to show less biological affinity. Significant differences in population structure between northwest and southeast Wales were evidenced, suggesting gene flow between communities in these areas was not extensive. The results highlight the complexity of kinship systems and the ways in which kinship identities were translated into the mortuary arena in early medieval Wales. The examination of genetic affinity between cemeteries also underlines the diversity of population histories from this time, emphasising the importance of nuanced interpretations which consider the regional and chronological complexity which is evidenced in early medieval Wales.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	History, Archaeology and Religion
Subjects:	C Auxiliary Sciences of History > CC Archaeology D History General and Old World > DA Great Britain G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GN Anthropology H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	12 January 2024
Date of Acceptance:	2 January 2024
Last Modified:	10 Feb 2024 02:19
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/165430

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