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
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