Marija Gimbutas

Marija Gimbutas was a Lithuanian-American archaeologist and anthropologist known for her work on Neolithic and Bronze Age cultures in Europe, particularly the archaeological study of ancient matriarchal societies. She is renowned for her theories about the "Old European" culture, which emphasized goddess worship, female-centered societies, and peaceful communities. Gimbutas's research highlighted the role of women in these early societies and suggested that later Indo-European invasions disrupted these egalitarian structures. Her ideas have influenced feminist archaeology and discussions about gender roles in ancient cultures, although they have also sparked debate among scholars.