Ancient Irish ‘God-King’: Incest & New Research
- New DNA analysis from a man buried in the Newgrange tomb in Ireland, dating back 5,000 years, shows he was the product of incest.
- Jessica Smyth, an associate professor of archaeology at University College Dublin, said that the archaeological record from Neolithic Ireland does not support the existence of kings or any...
- Smyth and her team published their findings in the journal antiquity,reinterpreting the remains of a man buried at Newgrange.
Uncover teh truth behind ancient Irish ancestry! A new study, featured by News Directory 3, uses ancient DNA analysis near the Newgrange tomb to upend assumptions about a “god-king.” While the remains reveal evidence of incest, researchers challenge the notion of royal status within Neolithic Ireland, citing a lack of supporting evidence. They argue against oversimplifying the past, pointing to other factors that complicate interpretations of social hierarchy. This engaging discovery from ireland challenges previous understandings. Discover how incest doesn’t automatically equal royalty, questioning the social structures of early communities. What’s more? Delve into the research that opens up thrilling new possibilities. Discover what’s next …
Ancient DNA: Incest in Irish Tomb Doesn’t Imply ‘God-King’ Status
Updated June 26, 2025
New DNA analysis from a man buried in the Newgrange tomb in Ireland, dating back 5,000 years, shows he was the product of incest. However, a new study disputes previous claims that this individual was a “god-king.”
Jessica Smyth, an associate professor of archaeology at University College Dublin, said that the archaeological record from Neolithic Ireland does not support the existence of kings or any royal hierarchy at that time. She added that such social categories are from a much later period and have been inappropriately applied to this context.
Smyth and her team published their findings in the journal antiquity,reinterpreting the remains of a man buried at Newgrange. They challenge the notion that his inbred parentage automatically placed him within an elite dynasty.
Newgrange, constructed around 3100 B.C.in northeastern Ireland and rediscovered in 1699, is a large tomb featuring an inner passageway leading to a burial chamber. Skeletons found within the mound were disarticulated, suggesting the remains were moved there sometime after death.
A 2020 DNA analysis of skeletons from Newgrange revealed that one adult male, NG10, had parents who were first-degree relatives, likely siblings. The original research team suggested that brother-sister marriage might have been acceptable among royal families, such as those of ancient egypt and the Inca.
Smyth and her colleagues argue that labeling NG10 a “god-king” based solely on his parentage and burial location is an oversimplification.
“What we’re drawing attention to is the fact that incest is - so far – a unique occurrence in neolithic Ireland and Britain, and that claiming it represents a dynastic elite is an over-interpretation,” Smyth said.
The study indicates limited evidence of social inequality in Neolithic Ireland (4000 to 2500 B.C.). The bones of NG10 were discovered in a small recess within the burial chamber, but researchers argue this does not confirm a special burial location or status.
Smyth noted that given the disturbances at Newgrange over the past 300 years, it is impossible to determine the original location of the skull fragment or whether NG10’s parentage was known to others.
What’s next
The research team previously suggested that Newgrange and similar megalithic monuments likely served as resting places for entire communities, rather than exclusive dynasties. Further studies aim to clarify the criteria for burial within Newgrange, considering the diverse individuals found there, including infants, the elderly, men, women, and people with disabilities.