Short history of ‘matriarchy’ as a hypothesis for the interpretation of prehistory
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2177-4218.v12i1p1-25Keywords:
Matriarchy, Prehistory, 'Great Goddess', Johann BachofenAbstract
In this article we present an overview of prehistoric matriarchy’s development as an accademic idea from Johann Bachofen’s formulation in the nineteenth century to its transformation, in the twelfth century, by a new emphasis on the proposition of a prehistoric ‘Great Goddess’. We consider the ideas about History envolved in it, especially regarding the contrast between a dynamic, complex Prehistory, riddled with conflicts and vicissitudes (as Bachofen proposed it) and opposite conceptions, found in authors such as Jane Harrison, Jacquetta Hawkes and Marija Gimbutas. In addition, we reflect on the accademic and political criticisms conducted against the hypothesis.
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