Iron Age ruler Verica was probably a woman researchers say

The British Iron Age ruler Verica, who encouraged the Roman emperor Claudius to invade Britain, was probably a queen rather than a king, according to New Scientist and Gizmodo. Archaeologists re-examined historical evidence and concluded that experts have long misread the gender of the historical figure. Miles Russell, an archaeologist at Bournemouth University, stated that Verica is likely the most important person at the end of the Iron Age. [1][2]

Verica is depicted on Iron Age coins that researchers discovered across southern England, New Scientist reported. Verica persuaded emperor Claudius to launch the Roman invasion, which initiated the conquest of Britain by the Roman Empire. [1]

The British Iron Age spanned from approximately 800 BC until the Roman period in the first century AD, following the British Bronze Age. During this era, human societies increasingly adopted iron tools and weapons alongside mainland European material cultures. The period was marked by the construction of defended hillforts, agricultural production of wheat and barley, and the emergence of a warrior aristocracy. [3][5]