Matriarchal Societies of the Past and the Rise of Patriarchy

Description

This book is about re-writing the history of cultures from a non-patriarchal perspective, bringing the forgotten matriarchal epoch to light again. It is based on Heide Goettner-Abendroth's pioneering anthropological research on still extant matriarchal societies worldwide, which provided her with a new definition of "matriarchy" as true gender-egalitarian societies. According to modern Matriarchal Studies, matriarchies have never needed patriarchy's hierarchical structures of domination, as they are socially egalitarian, economically balanced, and politically based on consensus decisions. This is the author's background for re-examining the history of cultures. She criticizes the patriarchal prejudices which abound in archaeological interpretations, and their blindness to the great variety of human social forms. By going deeper into this material she is able to develop a completely different picture of the earliest cultural epochs, which were decisively formed by women, motherhood and maternal values. Additionally, she gives a logical and detailed explanation for the rise of patriarchy, which is based on archaeological finds and not on speculation and, therefore, has a high degree of validity. The range of the book includes the development in West Asia and Europe from the Palaeolithic via the Neolithic to the Bronze Age. In this wide field, the author creates revolutionary new insights, which are relevant for all social and historical sciences. "Dr. Heide Goettner-Abendroth, mother of the discipline of Modern Matriarchal Studies, has produced a long-awaited, groundbreaking study which not only addresses the origins of patriarchy, but more importantly, the long period of human history which preceded it. Covering the period from the Paleolithic to the Iron Age, she takes us on a journey from the earliest mother-centered societies of the Paleolithic, to the matriarchal societies of the Neolithic, and finally to the period when all that remains are matriarchal elements within patriarchal surroundings. Along the way she debunks many cultural myths, including the myth of eternal warfare." --Dr. Joan Cichon, Independent Scholar, Author and Co-director of the Association of Women and Mythology "In this time of planetary crisis that many of us believe has been caused by the toxic mix of Patriarchy and Capitalism, this book is an answer to the urgent question, 'Where did Patriarchy come from?' Dr. Goettner-Abendroth's profound research and deep alternative perspective bring to light the roots of our present dis-ease and give hope that by knowing the truth of the past we can find a way to heal the future. This book should be required reading for feminists and social change activists everywhere." --Genevieve Vaughan, Philosopher, Author of Many Books and Founder of International Feminists for a Gift Economy Cover Contents List of Illustrations Acknowledgments Foreword Introduction: The Development of Modern Matriarchal Studies and Its Relevance for the History of Cultures A Clarification of the Concept The Definition and Its Logic Modern Matriarchal Studies and Its Relevance for History of Cultures 1 The New Ideology of “Eternal War.” Critical Reflections on Early History Preliminary Remarks on the Concept of History The Discourse of “Eternal War” among Theoreticians The Discourse of “Eternal War” among Archaeologists The Discourse about “Peaceful Societies” 2 Palaeolithic in West Asia, the Mediterranean, and Europe: The Development of Mother-Centered Societies Origins from Africa and the Adventures of Peopling the World Palaeolithic Economy: More than just Hunting Palaeolithic Social Order: More than just the Horde Palaeolithic Culture and Religion: More than just “Hunting Magic” Middle Palaeolithic: Religious Thoughts of the Neanderthal People Upper Palaeolithic: Cave Art and Portable Art The Theme of “Women” The Theme of “Animals” Abstract Signs and the Calendar 3 Neolithic in West Asia: The Invention of Agriculture and the Origin of Matriarchal Societies Mesolithic: The Great Thaw Neolithic Economy in West Asia: Revolutionary Inventions Pre-Neolithic Epoch: The First Settlements Lower Pre-Pottery Neolithic: The First Temples and Grain Fields Upper Pre-Pottery Neolithic: Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Mysterious Walls Late Neolithic Epoch: Pottery, Copper, and New Crafts Neolithic Social Order in West Asia: New Complexity Complex Societies: Elites or Equality? The Evolution of Matrilineality Neolithic Culture and Religion in West Asia: Early Religious Wealth Symbolism of Life and Death The Polarity of Female and Male Female and Male Ancestors Goddesses: Yes or No? 4 Neolithic in the Mediterranean and Europe: The Development of Matriarchal Societies Encounters between Mesolithic and Neolithic Peoples Neolithic Economy in Europe: Unity of Economy and Culture Southeast Europe: The First European High Culture Central Europe: Longhouses and Giant Circles South Europe: Temples and “fairy houses” Atlantic and Continental West Europe: Megaliths in All Forms North Europe: Longhouses for the Dead Neolithic Social Order in Europe: Patrilocal Nuclear Families or Matriarchal Clans? The Hunt for “elites and hierarchy,” “trade and property” In Search of the “nuclear family” and “father line” Evidence for the Mother Line Egalitarian Burial Culture Neolithic Culture and Religion in Europe: Primordial Mothers and Goddesses The Symbolism of Tombs, Temples and Megaliths The Sacred Landscape Domestic Ancestress Worship The Issue of Goddesses Primordial Mothers, Earth, Moon and Sun Figurines and the Triple Goddess 5 Bronze Age in the Eurasian Steppe: The Origins of Early Patriarchal Societies and Female Resistance 5.1 Societies of the Eurasian Steppe: The Rise of Nomadism and Early Domination Neolithic Cultures in the Steppe New Economy: Herds and Horses Always on the Move: Wagons and Tents Social Order: Domination over Women Worldview and Religion: Ideology of Purity and “God the Father” 5.2 The Situation in Asia Minor and the Amazon QuestionCritical Preliminary Remarks Critical Preliminary Remarks The History of the Amazons First Emigration: From Lemnos to the Thermodon River Second Emigration: From the Thermodon to the Caucasus and to the Scythians 6 Bronze Age and Iron Age in West Asia: The Rise of State and Empire Bronze Age Economy and Politics in West Asia: Organization of the Precious Water New Spaces: The First Settlement of the Mesopotamian Plains Crowding into “paradise”: The Formation of City States The Power of Weapons: Regional States and the First Empire Centralization Pushed to the Extreme: The Path to “World Empire” Bronze Age Social Order and Religion in West Asia: From Thea-Cracy to the Abolition of the Goddess Late Matriarchal Thea-Cracy Breaking with Matriarchal Religion Class Society and the Diminishing Status of Women The Fate of the Goddesses In the Land of Canaan: Trading Cities, “democracy” and the One-God Religion 7 Bronze Age and Iron Age in South Europe: Late Matriarchal Societies and Increasing Patriarchalization The Waves of Patriarchalization from the Steppes Limited Destruction, Far-Reaching Consequences and Constantly Improved Weapons The Indo-Europeanization of Europe and the Glaring Facts of DNA Analyses Late Matriarchal Societies and Patriarchalization in South Europe The Minoan Culture of Crete: Sailors and Priestesses Social Order in Crete: Consensus Politics and Matriarchal Clans Mycenae and Sparta: War as the Measure of Everything Athens and Ionia: Maritime Trade, Money, and the Ambivalent Situation of Women The Etruscans: Joy of Life in This World and the Otherworld Rhaetians, Sardinians, Basques: Forgotten Peoples to This Day 8 Bronze Age and Iron Age in Europe North of the Alps: Matriarchal Elements in Patriarchal Surroundings Precarious Domination in the Bronze Age The Celtic Peoples and the Question of Matriarchy The Iron Age Empires of the Celts Matriarchal Picts and Patriarchal Celts: The Problematic Position of Women Celtic Gods and Goddesses: A Split Religion The Germanic Peoples and the Question of Matriarchy The Migration Routes of the Germanic Peoples On the Social Order of the Germanic Peoples: Brave Women But without Rights Matriarchal “Nerthus culture” and Germanic Gods A Concluding Critique of Concepts Bibliography Index