Marija Gimbutas

Lithuanian archaeologist who redefined understanding of prehistoric European societies

Marija Gimbutas (1921–1994) challenged male-centric historical narratives through her Goddess Civilization theory, detailed in The Civilization of the Goddess. Her interdisciplinary archaeomythology approach revealed:

• Matrifocal societies in Neolithic Europe
• Sacred feminine symbolism in 6500+ artifacts
• Proto-Indo-European migration patterns

Though controversial, Gimbutas' work inspired feminist anthropology and re-examined humanity's cultural evolution. Her theories continue sparking debates about interpreting prehistoric iconography.